South Bend to pay up to $20,000 for roof, furnace replacements for low-income homeowners
SOUTH BEND — A city program will pay for major repairs to homes in poorer neighborhoods on the west and southeast sides.
Through South Bend's Home Repair Program, homeowners in census tracts where at least a quarter of households live below the federal poverty line are eligible for up to $20,000 from the city to repair or replace their roof and furnace, according to Executive Director of Community Investment Caleb Bauer.
“A roof replacement helps preserve a home as a livable home into the future," Bauer said. "It's the No. 1 repair that can stop a home from degrading to the point that it's unsalvageable and would have to be demolished in the future."
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To qualify, the adults in a household must earn less than 80% of the area median income. That upper threshold is $62,400 for a family of four and $49,950 for a two-person household. Homeowners must also be enrolled or plan to enroll in the city's Utility Assistance Program, which can reduce a home's water and sewer bill by up to $25.50 a month for low-income residents.
Applications are due June 19 and will be addressed on a first-come, first-served basis until $1.5 million of available money runs out. Visit the city's Home Repair webpage to submit a pre-screening survey that determines whether you're eligible for money and to view a map that shows which addresses fall in a targeted area. Surveys can also be conducted over the phone by calling 574-235-5915.
Since applications opened last week, Bauer said, more than 200 people have submitted pre-screening surveys. But about a quarter of those were disqualified. As of Monday, about 160 eligible homeowners had passed the screening and been sent official application forms to complete.
The repairs are funded by $1.5 million from the American Rescue Plan that South Bend allotted to restoring the existing housing stock, Bauer said. He said a citywide program could follow next spring to make use of the remaining $1 million set aside for home repairs.
Bauer said the program is tailored to homeowners who can't pay for big-ticket repairs but live in homes that could deteriorate beyond repair without key fixes.
“We want to make sure we’re preserving the existing housing stock in addition to adding new units," Bauer said, "and part of that is making sure homes in South Bend don't fall into the levels of disrepair where they become vacant and abandoned and get demolished.”
Email South Bend Tribune city reporter Jordan Smith at JTsmith@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter: @jordantsmith09
This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: South Bend Home Repair Program pays for roof, furnace replacements
