Home repair loans available to low-income families

PALM HARBOR - Pinellas County has begun assisting qualified homeowners with a no-interest loan to prepare for hurricane season.
The maximum loan is for $20,000, with the money repaid in up to 20 years, according to county officials.
Work on roofs, windows, doors and other areas of a residential structure can be paid for with the loans.
Eligibility is based on income.
The county-sponsored program is administered in North Pinellas by the Local Community Housing Corporation of Tarpon Springs.
In addition, a $2,000 grant is available to assist disabled people remove barriers and add features to make their homes easier to navigate. This money can be used to add wheelchair ramps, grab bars in bathrooms, equipment for the hearing impaired or anything that will remove a disability-related barrier.
According to Pinellas County Community Development Director Anthony Jones: "These programs are instrumental in helping residents improve their homes and enhance their neighborhood. As we move into hurricane season, many of the improvements may help homeowners mitigate storm damage which is extremely important."
The 2011 Atlantic hurricane season began June 1 and runs through Nov. 30.
Property inside the city limits of Clearwater, Largo, St. Petersburg, and Belleair Shore are not eligible for this program.
This is a limited-time offer, Jones said.  Information on the county program is available by calling Community Development at 727-464-8210 or email at cdprograms@pinellascounty.org .
Local Community Housing provides its own home repair loans of from $3,000 to $45,000 to low- and moderate-income homeowners at interest rates ranging from 1 to 5 percent over 15 years.
Eligibility and interest rates are based on gross household income. Very-low-income applicants may qualify to defer all or part of the loan repayment or pay no interest for as long as they continue to own and occupy the property.
The agency's Home Repair Loan Program helps with the entire home repair process, including: identifying needed repairs; developing work plans; helping the owner review proposals; and making sure work is completed before funds are released to contractors.
Repairs necessary to correct substandard conditions are eligible for the loan. The program puts a priority on roof replacement, plumbing and sanitary system, electrical system, heating and air conditioning, window or door replacement, kitchen repairs, or other conditions related to housing, health, fire, or safety standards.
Program funds may be used to improve outdated kitchens and bathrooms, add living space, enhance energy-efficiency or provide access and conveniences for the handicapped.
Site improvements such as landscaping, fencing, tree trimming, garages and security lighting may be included in the loan.
The program may not be used to provide luxury items such as swimming pools and hot tubs, or purely decorative items such as draperies or furniture.
No loan funds are paid to the homeowner or anyone other than a licensed contractor for labor on the structure.
Applicants must meet income guidelines and the value of a property cannot exceed $151,000 as listed by the Pinellas County Property Appraiser's office. Single-family houses or a manufactured home occupied by the applicant are eligible
For more information about home repair loans offered by Local Community Housing, an agency of the Tarpon Springs Housing Authority, 500 S. Walton Ave., Tarpon Springs, call 727-937-4411.
Source http://suncoastpinellas.tbo.com/