There is still money available to repair three or more homes in the Hawaii County Economic Opportunity Council (HCEOC) Housing Preservation (HPG) rural home repair program. HPG funds health and safety repairs and may include accessibility improvements for a handicapped family member.
There is still money available to repair three or more homes in the Hawaii County Economic Opportunity Council (HCEOC) Housing Preservation (HPG) rural home repair program. HPG funds health and safety repairs and may include accessibility improvements for a handicapped family member.
Assistance is in the form of a zero-interest loan repayable over 20 years. Home must be complete, located in a rural area (everything outside of Hilo) and have health and safety defects or qualify for accessibility improvements. Homeowner must have clear title, have owned and occupied the home for at least one year before applying, have acceptable credit and have income not exceeding “very low income.”
Property must have equity. Projects typically correct leaky roofs, leaky plumbing, foundation and electrical hazards, wood-rot, insect damage and fzulty catchment systems. Repairs are done by a licensed general contractor hired by the homeowner. Program is funded by USDA Rural Development (formerly Farmers Home Administration) as part of improving the lives of rural communities.
Over the past 25 years, HCEOC has used HPG and other low income loan programs to remove the health and safety deficiencies from 139 homes occupied by very low income homeowners. For further information, or to apply, call Mary Finley at 961-2681, ext. 301.