American Rescue Plan.
American Rescue Plan.
ARPA Owner Occupied Rehabilitation (OOR)
Grant Program.
Acceptance of applications is now suspended as of September 30, 2022
The City of Elkhart Home Owner Occupied Rehabilitation (OOR) program is a grant funded by the American Rescue Program. All applicants must be income qualified, 120% of Area Median Income or less, for a family of four is $90,600 (See chart for other family sizes) and have experienced negative economic impact due to COVID-19. Assistance that an applicant is eligible for is determined by the type of and dollar value of the home repairs.
$500,000 is available to this program until depleted on a first come first serve basis. This is a two-part process with first step available online via the application and the second to be provided by city staff.
.
Mary K. Kaczka 574-294-5471 x1062
.
Laura J. Miller 574-294-5471 x1022
.
info.arpa.oor@coei.org
ARPA Owner Occupied Rehabilitation (OOR)
Grant Program.
Acceptance of applications is now suspended as of September 30, 2022
The City of Elkhart Home Owner Occupied Rehabilitation (OOR) program is a grant funded by the American Rescue Program. All applicants must be income qualified, 120% of Area Median Income or less, for a family of four is $90,600 (See chart for other family sizes) and have experienced negative economic impact due to COVID-19. Assistance that an applicant is eligible for is determined by the type of and dollar value of the home repairs.
$500,000 is available to this program until depleted on a first come first serve basis. This is a two-part process with first step available online via the application and the second to be provided by city staff.
.
Mary K. Kaczka 574-294-5471 x1062
.
Laura J. Miller 574-294-5471 x1022
.
info.arpa.oor@coei.org
Assistance Type:
Total grant not to exceed $ 35,000.
- Emergency repairs up to $ 5,000– permissible but not limited to furnace, water heater, and emergency plumbing and emergency electrical, must be non-working or in such disrepair that failure is imminent.
- Façade Improvements up to $ 35,000-permissable but not limited to new siding/paint, new windows, door repair or replacement, gutter replacement, roof repair or replacement, porch repair, railing repair/updates, driveway/sidewalk repair, and fence repair/updates.
- 10% Participation-Grant awardees in the 100%-120% Area Median Income (AMI) category are required to contribute up to 10% of the cost of rehabilitation project.
- Ineligible Rehabilitation Costs-New construction; reconstruction or expansion of a structure; items classified as luxury; materials, fixtures, equipment, or landscaping of a type or quality which exceeds that customarily used for properties of the same general type as the property to be rehabilitated; appliances/devices that are not required by code or housing rehabilitation standards; and acquisition of land.
Eligibility:
Applicant -Assistance may be provided to home owner-occupied residential properties located in the City of Elkhart.
- Income – All earnings by all adult household members 18 years of age and older at or below % 120 of Area Median Income (AMI) are eligible to apply for the grant.
- Ownership – The home owner-occupant must have occupied the property for a period of at least three (3) months.
- Proof of Income – Applicants must provide proof of income.
- Extra Consideration – Seniors (62 years or older), veterans, individuals with disabilities and residents of the Franklin and South Main Neighborhood Qualified Census Tracts.
- Property Insurance – The homeowner must maintain property insurance coverage if the grant is for other than emergency and safety related projects. Homeowner’s property insurance must be current. Deductible must not be more than $1,000. Property insurance will only be waived for emergency repair grants.
- Property Taxes – Taxes must be paid up to date or proof of an active payment plan must be in place before any grant is to issues.
- Floodway – The property cannot be located in the federally designated floodway.
- Illegal Activity – No grant will be awarded to any property where evidence of illegal activity is taking place.
- Duplexes – Homeowner occupied duplexes are eligible.
- Land Contracts – Homes purchased on land contract are ineligible for assistance.
- Title-the home owner-occupant must have an ownership interest in the property in their name when a title search is run on the property.
American Rescue Plan (ARP) Income Levels for Owner Occupied Home Rehabilitation Program
$83,600 Area Median Income (AMI) | Calculating up to 120%<
| Household Members | 1 Person | 2 Person | 3 Person | 4 Person | 5 Person | 6 person | 7 Person | 8 Person |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40% AMI | $21,160 | $24,160 | $27,200 | $30,200 | $32,640 | $35,040 | $37,480 | $39,880 |
| 100% AMI | $52,900 | $60,400 | $68,000 | $75,500 | $81,600 | $87,600 | $93,700 | $99,700 |
| 120% AMI | $63,480 | $72,480 | $81,600 | $90,600 | $97,920 | $105,120 | $112,440 | $119,640 |
Source: 2022 Sec 8 Income Limits
The applicants that meet the income requirements, 120% of AMI or below, will be asked to demonstrate negative economic impact due to COVID-19 during 2020-2022 to be eligible to receive grant funds. Negative economic impact can be defined as a loss of job and/or income due to COVID-19.
Part 2 of the application which will address this impact must be completed by eligible applicants. Part 2 will be completed by city staff
- Qualified Census Tracts-Applicants whose home is located in a Qualified Census Tract-Franklin and South Main Neighborhood, are NOT required to provide negative economic impact due to COVID-19.
Franklin Neighborhood-Bounded by S. 6th Street, Mason Street, Lafayette Street, Oakland Avenue, W. Indiana Avenue and W. Franklin Street.
South Main Neighborhood-Bounded by S. Main Street, E. Indiana Avenue, Benham Avenue and Freight Street.
- Income Levels 120%-40% of AMI
Applicants citywide with income levels 120% – 40% AMI must demonstrate negative economic impact, for a family of four this is $90,600 to $30,200. See chart for other family sizes.
- Income Levels under 40% of AMI
Applicants citywide with income 40% and under are NOT required to provide negative economic impact due to COVID-19. This income level for a family of four is $30,200. See chart for other family sizes.
- Building Codes-Building Codes as required and enforced within the corporate limits of the City of Elkhart and specifically according to the Building Officials and Code Administrators (BOCA) National Property Maintenance Code as enforced by the Elkhart Building Department.
- Inspections– Any area of the building being repaired that requires a permit must be inspected by City code inspectors.
- Bids-The applicant will submit at least two (2) bids of their selection utilizing the rehabilitation scope of work list prepared by City inspector.
- Authorized Contractors-The contractor selected by the homeowner must meet minimum requirements for contractors established by the City of Elkhart Building Department. The grant recipient and contractor shall ensure that the rehabilitation work is carried out promptly and efficiently through a written contract that is awarded after prior approval by City staff. Property owners cannot act as their own general contractor. The City reserves the right to reject contractors whom the City believes to be unqualified.
- Final Inspections-It is the responsibility of the property owner (or agent, such as the general contractor) to obtain final inspections. An inspection report from a City authorized inspector that the entire scope of work has been completed is required.
- Lead Based Paint-Lead-Based Paint requirements for homes built before 1978 must be followed due to the use of federal funds for this grant program. A copy of the pamphlet “Protect Your Family from Lead in Your Home” as well as the “Renovate Right” will be given to the homeowner prior to beginning any rehabilitation work. Homeowners will be asked to sign a receipt for document form.
- Lead Based Paint Assessment-A visual assessment of paint conditions will be conducted at the time of initial home inspection by the City inspector. The assessment will look for signs of deteriorated paint, paint chips, and visible dust (which contain lead). The results of this inspection will be incorporated into the home inspection and included in scope work if necessary. All children under the age of 6 years of age who reside in the home are at risk of health related issues from lead based paint. Testing for lead in the bloodstream can be done at the Elkhart County Health Department and is free of charge. This test provides the homeowner with information regarding the presence of lead-based paint hazards in the home. Testing is NOT a requirement to be eligible for grant and results will not be shared with the City; it is for the homeowner’s personal information.
- Termite and Wood Destroying Insects-Inspection and remediation, if necessary, must be performed before commencement of any rehabilitation work.
- Unsanitary Conditions-If at any time during the project selection or construction phase the home is determined to be unsanitary, all work will cease until such time as the issues are resolved by the homeowner. A letter clearly identifying the issue(s) will be sent to the homeowner with a deadline for them to respond to staff and resolve all unsanitary condition(s). Zero tolerance home must be free of feces, clutter, and hoarding.
- Illegal and Unsafe Environment-The homeowner is responsible for maintaining a safe environment for the contractor to perform the required services, and that includes insuring that no illegal activities are conducted or occurring on the property during the term of the rehabilitation project. Failure to meet this requirement, the contractor has the right to terminate its services without penalty and has the obligation to report such default to the City, in which the City shall terminate its funding of the rehabilitation project. In such event, the owner shall be required to reimburse and pay for all services the contractor performed on the project up to and including the date of termination.
- Two Part Application Process– The application process consists of two parts. Part I covers income eligibility and project description. Applications are available to complete or print out online at [HERE]. Accepted applicants will be asked to provide a copy of a valid photo ID. Incomplete applications will be returned to the applicant, it may be re-submitted within five (5) days. Applications will not be considered if complete information is not provided. If you would like assistance in completing the application please notify City staff at the Community Development Department. Accepted Part 1 applications will be asked to complete the Part 2 application which covers negative economic impact due to COVID-19.
- Review Committee-Each complete application will be reviewed by a three (3) person committee consisting of City of Elkhart Development Services staff. Complete applications will be reviewed on a first come first served basis.
- Scoring and Selection-Scoring and grant awards will be based on income eligibility, negative economic impact, qualified census tract location, senior/veteran/disabled status, use of grant funds and use of Elkhart licensed contractors.
- Scope of Work-Upon selection to receive a grant the recipient shall permit inspections of the property by a City inspector who will develop a scope of work.
- Direct to Contractor-Before payment is issued direct to contractor, a rehabilitation specialist from the City or its inspector shall inspect the property to ensure that materials have been installed properly. ALL inspections must be successfully completed before final payment will be issued.
