How qualifying Erie County homeowners, landlords can get grants up to $50,000 for repairs

A.J. Rao, Erie Times-News
·2 min read

Eligible homeowners and small landlords in Erie County can now benefit from thousands of dollars in federal pandemic aid to help upkeep and weatherize their properties.

The aid is courtesy of the COVID-19 American Rescue Plan Act Whole-Home Repairs Program, which was recently launched in the county by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development and the Erie County Executive Brenton Davis administration.

The program addresses housing insecurity and the climate crisis by awarding grants to income-qualified homeowners and small landlords for exterior housing rehabilitation.

“The Whole-Home Repairs Program will deliver over $2.5 million into our county specifically targeted towards revitalizing our neighborhoods,” Davis said in a news release. “This program will help advance our rural revival initiative by targeting these funds into our rural townships and boroughs that haven’t seen this level of investment in decades."

The program will be administered in the county by the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Erie and the Corry Redevelopment Authority.

Who's eligible?

Homeowners whose household income does not exceed 80% of the area median income are eligible for grants.

Small landlords who own no more than five properties and no more than 15 rental units of affordable housing are eligible for loans.

Income guidelines provided by the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Erie can be viewed at: bit.ly/income_guidelines.

Eligible individuals are able to address severe housing repair needs such as roof damage, unsafe electric wiring, window repairs and replacement, foundation repairs, or accessibility concerns, according to the news release.

Homeowners and small landlords can receive up to $50,000 per unit in repairs.

Exterior components of a property that are in good working order will not be replaced or modified for beautification purposes, according to the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Erie.

How to apply?

Erie County residents living in the following municipalities can apply with the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Erie at redeveloperie.org/WholeHome:

  • Albion Borough

  • Girard Borough

  • North East Borough

  • Cranesville Borough

  • Platea Borough

  • Edinboro Borough

  • Lake City Borough

  • McKean Borough

  • Wesleyville Borough

  • Girard Township

  • Conneaut Township

  • Greene Township

  • North East Township

  • Elk Creek Township

  • Lawrence Park Township

  • Summit Township

  • Washington Township

  • Franklin Township

  • McKean Township

  • Springfield Township

  • Millcreek Township

  • Harborcreek Township

  • Fairview Township

  • City of Erie

Applications can be submitted online or printed from the website.

Erie County residents who don't live in these municipalities can contact the Corry Redevelopment Authority for application information at corryidc.org.

A.J. Rao can be reached at arao@gannett.com. Follow him on X @ETNRao.

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: State-funded home repair program to award grants in Erie County