Home Improvement Programs

There are several loan programs available to help low-income households make home repairs. The Connecticut Housing Finance Authority (CHFA) offers rehabilitation loans to homeowners and a reverse annuity mortgage program to low and moderate income senior citizens. The Department of Social Services (DSS) administers several energy assistance programs that help low-income homeowners make improvements in their home's energy efficiency. The Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) offers loans for energy conservation, lead paint abatement, and emergency home repairs. They also administer a federal program that is run through the towns which may have some funding for home repairs. The Connecticut Housing Investment Fund, Inc. gives loans for repairs to low-income homeowners. Christmas in April, through local affiliates, makes home repairs free of charge to elderly and disabled, as well as, low-income homeowners.

CHFA offers rehabilitation loans to homeowners for the cost of improvements and repairs. The cost of these repairs must be at least $10,000. A homeowner must refinance his mortgage under this program to receive the home repair money.

Another CHFA program offers a reverse annuity mortgage program to low and moderate income senior citizens. The homeowner must be 70 or older and have a household income of under $52,000. Either the homeowner or another household member must also need long term care. CHFA will lend up to 70% of the home's value of up to $207,000 and make cash payments to the homeowner for five or 10 years. No repayment is necessary until the owner vacates the property. A lump sum payment of up to $25,000 can be made at closing.

There are also several energy assistance programs available to help a low-income homeowner reduce energy costs. The Weatherization Residential Assistance Partnership (WRAP) is a partnership of the utility companies, the state of Connecticut, and local Community Action Agencies. It helps low-income utility customers reduce their energy needs in several ways including installing insulation, hot water heating wraps, caulking, and weather-stripping. Another program run through the Community Action Agencies helps low-income families with a young child or a disabled or elderly individual with weatherization, after they conduct an energy audit to determine what assistance is needed. For information on these programs call the DSS Energy Hot-Line at 1-800-842-1132 (Programs that Help People in Connecticut, 1997-98, Ct. Assoc. of Human Services and Northeast Utilities).

DECD offers several programs that may help with home repairs. Their energy conservation loan program makes low-interest loans available for a number of cost-saving conservation measures, including insulation and furnaces (CGS § 16a-40b). The hazardous materials abatement program gives grants and low-interest loans to homeowners for lead-based paint abatement and asbestos removal. The Homeowner's Emergency Repair Assistance for Seniors Program gives grants or low-interest loans to repair homes of low-income homeowners who are at least 62 years old. For information on these programs call DECD at 860-270-8000.

DECD also administers the Small Cities Community Development Block Grant Program which may have some funding available for home repairs. This federally-funded program gives annual grants to towns for affordable housing and community revitalization. A homeowner should contact their town's housing department for information on this program as well as any other town financed repair programs.

The Connecticut Housing Investment Fund, Inc., (CHIF) is a statewide, private, nonprofit housing finance organization which provides a wide range of housing services to individuals as well as towns. Their home improvement loan program gives loans of up to $10,000 to homeowners for structural additions, remodeling of kitchens and bathrooms, roofing, replacing plumbing and electrical systems, and eliminating safety hazards. For application information call CHIF at 1-800-992-3665.

Christmas in April is a national program that helps low-income homeowners rehabilitate their homes. There are local affiliates in Hartford, Manchester, Middletown, New Britain, New Haven, and Stamford/Greenwich. The local affiliates raise the funds and organize the volunteers to make the home repairs available free of charge. More information on local affiliates and the application process can be found through their web site cinausa@erols.com or by calling 202-483-9083.

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