Moline residents can sign up for the Homeowner Assistance Fund Home Repair Program (HAFHR) beginning at 9 a.m. Thursday, Jan.18.
The Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) recently awarded the City of Moline a $1 million Illinois HAFHR grant. That program is funded through Section 3206 of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 which established Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF) to help homeowners who have been financially impacted by COVID-19.
“This grant provides an opportunity for Moline to reinvest in our existing aging housing stock, maintain healthy and safe housing as we continue to revitalize our neighborhoods,” KJ Whitley, Moline’s community development manager, said in a news release. “The city was one of 16 applications awarded from a pool of 60 submittals. This million-dollar award enhances the community revitalization road map Moline is creating.”
Go here to sign up or learn more about the program.
Waiting list limited
The waiting list space for the program is limited to 20 names. In the event additional funding is made available, the waiting list may be reopened, according to the release.
HAFHR provides housing repair funding to homeowners facing pandemic-related challenges and housing insecurity. The program’s key purpose is to prevent displacement by funding essential home repairs, ensuring habitability and addressing overcrowding issues.
HAFHR aims to enhance occupants’ health, support eligible homeowners in retaining their homes, offer grants to those affected by COVID- 19 and unaddressed home repairs, preserve affordable housing and invest in disadvantaged communities, the news release said.
The HAFHR program is not a complete remodel of the home and it cannot necessarily address all the homeowner’s concerns, city officials warned.
What projects qualify?
The per unit construction cost limit is $60,000. Not all applicants will utilize the maximum dollar amount. Examples include but are not limited to the following:
- Addressing health, safety and code violations.
- Roofing, soffit/fascia/gutters, drainage and runoff management.
- Mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems.
- Foundations, existing decks and existing porches.
- Modifications and improvements for accessibility to allow the elderly or disabled to age in place.
- Environmental modification and improvements.
- Other vital and necessary repairs specific to the home’s needs.
Some eligibility requirements of the program include:
- Financial hardship after Jan. 21, 2020, related to the COVID-19 pandemic (i.e. loss of job, reduced hours, business employment loss, etc.) Applicants will be required to execute an IHDA program attestation form.
- Household has income less than or equal to 150% of the area median income.
- Own and occupy the property as the primary residence.
- Be current on mortgage payments or not have a mortgage payment.
- Homeowners who received HAF housing assistance are eligible to apply
Is your property eligible?
Eligible properties include:
- Single-family homes, including Accessory Dwelling Unit: a small residence that shares a single-family lot with a larger, primary dwelling.
- Two- to four-unit residential building where owner lives in one unit. Common areas and owner-occupied units are eligible.
- Manufactured home on a permanent foundation.
- In all of the above, the homeowner owns the land, and the property is taxed as real estate.
- Condominium or Cooperative Units.
Ineligible properties include:
- Reverse mortgages.
- Investment properties.
- Properties with a home equity line of credit.
- Ownership in trust or under a contract-for-deed.
- Properties primarily used for business (more than 50% of the floor space is used for business).
For more information on the program, email housing@moline.il.us or call (309) 524-2044.
