Rockford opens pre-application for $60K home repair grants

February 1, 2024|By Kevin Haas|In 815 News, Local, Rockford, Trending
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — Homeowners in the city can now pre-apply for up to $60,000 to help fix health and safety hazards, code violations and improve accessibility to their houses.

The city’s expanded rehab assistance program, or ERA, was part of what City Council members opted to fund with surplus cash late last year.

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The city is using $1 million from its surplus fund along with a $1.4 million state grant and $1 million in federal Community Development Block Grants for a total $3.4 million program. The city plans to assist at least 42 households over the next two and a half years.

“The ERA Program is part of the city’s efforts to improve housing and support homeowners. It is unique because it’s available to middle income homeowners, who typically do not qualify for city programs due to federal regulations,” Mayor Tom McNamara said in a news release. “This program complements our existing programs and is a key to stabilizing and improving our neighborhoods.”

Applications are available online through 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 16.

To qualify, homeowners must meet the following requirements:

  • At-or-below 150% of the area median income based on household size (about $76,115).
  • Current on mortgage payments and property taxes
  • Single-family homes only
  • All owners listed on the deed must live in the property
  • Home cannot be valued at more than $151,000
  • The first round of applications will require that homeowners certify that they were negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and unable to make critical repairs to their home.

The program will prioritize residents in the 81%-150% area median income range during the first round of applications, but all residents that meet the eligibility requirements are encouraged to apply.

Applicants not selected with this round that meet the requirements will receive advanced notice of when the city opens another round.

A lottery will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 20, and applicants will be notified by Feb. 23 of their position in that lottery.

How to apply

The pre-application is available only through the city’s website. You can find it HERE.

Residents who need assistance with their application may attend application workshop days held between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 8 or Friday, Feb. 16.

City staff will be available both days in the lobby of City Hall, 425 E. State St., and no appointment is needed.

If you have questions, call 779-348-7162. Para información en Español favor de comunicarse a este número 779-348-7439.