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Housing repairs aid available for low-to-moderate income homeowners

By Nissa LaPoint

Denver’s aging housing stock has the chance to receive a facelift through federal funds provided to assist low- and moderate-income residents in need this year.

Denver is hoping to aid more than 100 homeowners repair and rehabilitate interior and exterior flaws with $850,000 of funding awarded to its urban renewal authority in November.

With low- or no-interest loans, homeowners may pay for emergency repairs or rehabilitation needs through Denver’s two programs called the Single Family Rehabilitation and the Emergency Home Repair loan programs.

“The north and west side of the city’s housing stock is dominated by pre-1950s housing,” said Chris Topher, housing program manager for Denver’s office of economic development, which awarded the money to the city’s urban authority. “So we have a lot of houses that need a lot of assistance.”

Not only are houses becoming worn down, but many low- and moderate-income homeowners are not able to access funds to pay for costly repairs. With current economic conditions homeowners are in need now more than ever, said Marianne LeClaire, housing manager for the Denver Urban Renewal Authority (DURA).

“The homeowners are in dire straights right now,” LeClaire said.

Since 1958, the urban renewal authority has given residents who live above poverty level but do not have the ability to pay for costly repairs the chance to improve their home, she said. 

In 2011 until the end of November, the programs have awarded 20 loans for single family households that needed rehabilitation and 86 loans for homes that needed emergency repairs, she said.  

Homeowners whose income falls below the Housing and Urban Development (HUD) area medium-income earning level of 50 percent—$27,400 a year or $39,100 a year for a family of four—may apply for an emergency home repair loan, and homeowners who earn less than 80 percent—$43,800 or $62,550 for a family of four—may apply for the single-family rehabilitation loan assistance, she said. Homeowners who are not legal residents or rent their home are not eligible.

“We believe supporting homeowners at this income level is important for the long-term viability of the city,” LeClaire said.

Homeowners who fall between 50 percent and 80 percent of HUD’s earning levels may qualify for a loan where payments are made, whereas those who make below the 50 percent level are eligible for a deferred loan, or a lien put on the house that is paid once it’s sold. 

Faulty electrical wiring, furnace break-downs, inadequate insulation, eroding sidewalks and leaky roofs are all possible repairs that can be addressed through these programs. Homeowners may receive up to $24,999 in loans to pay for these repairs, according to the city.

“These are more critical issues and it helps people to address those and stay living in a decent quality environment in the house,” LeClaire said. 

Built into the city’s two programs for homeowners that apply—many of whom are senior citizens—is the ability to assist with the entire process from hiring a maintenance or construction company to checking the repairs for completeness. 

“Unlike a bank, DURA kind of walks you through the whole process as an applicant,” LeClaire said. 

Since its inception, these programs have provided more than $66 million in rehabilitation assistance to more than 16,000 qualifying homeowners. 

“These are critical programs for creating safer and more livable neighborhoods for Denver residents,” said Denver Mayor Michael Hancock in a statement. “They not only help reduce the amount of foreclosures around our city, but they create an environment of economic stability for some of our neediest citizens during one of our most difficult economic times.”

Although these programs are only for residents living in the city and county of Denver, many area cities and counties offer similar programs, LeClaire said, including Englewood, Greeley, Aurora, Lakewood, Arvada and Arapahoe County.

Those interested in applying for assistance from Denver’s rehabilitation programs may call 303-534-3872.