HACKENSACK — Some Bergen County residents who were adversely affected by the pandemic can apply for up to $10,000 for home repairs through Greater Bergen Community Action.
The Emergency Housing Rehabilitation Assistance Program will help residents make critical home repairs that affect the health and safety of residents in qualifying households.
Through COVID-related funding, there is $200,000 available for such projects, said Mike Lamendola, Greater Bergen’s director of new program development. Ideally, the organization would like to see at least 20 applicants receive funding. Lamendola said there could be more, depending on the projects and costs.
“So many Bergen County residents had to defer essential home repairs due to the financial impacts they experienced during the pandemic,” Lamendola said. “This program strives to offer relief so that these families continue to have a safe roof over their heads.”
Money can go toward improvements to broken or aging roofing systems, leaders and gutters, driveways, steps, sidewalks, electrical systems, plumbing systems, heating and air conditioning systems, windows and doors, exterior siding or decking. It can also pay to repair water-damaged interiors.
The application period will be open for the remainder of 2021 and end when the funding is exhausted.
Money will be paid directly to the home-improvement contractor performing the work, with the applicant contributing any costs over the eligible amount to complete the project. Supplemental funds will be made available through a low-interest fixed-rate loan underwritten by 1st Bergen Federal Credit Union, if needed.
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Some projects may cost more than the $10,000 grant, if full roofs or heating systems are needed, for instance, Lamendola said.
To qualify, applicants must have experienced an adverse economic effect due to COVID-19 that contributes to the financial burden preventing necessary home repairs.
Some examples include loss of employment, loss of partial income, medical expenses or caring for a family member, leading to increased costs or loss of income.
Eligible applicants are low- to moderate-income households: those earning 200% of the federal povert
y level or below. Income eligibility ranges from $25,760 for a one-person household to $98,400 for an eight-person household. A full chart can be found on the Greater Bergen Community Action website.
Applicants must own and occupy the property as their principal residence. Housing types include one- and two-family homes, townhomes, condominiums and mobile homes.
The home must be in reasonable condition so that repairs allow the home to continue to be occupied in a manner that is safe and in compliance with local occupancy codes.
More information on eligibility and how to apply can be found at greaterbergen.org/home-rehab.
Kristie Cattafi is a local reporter for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to the most important news from your local community, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @KristieCattafi
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