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	Home > City Government > Departments and Offices > Community and Economic Development > Housing Rehabilitation Program PROGRAM OVERVIEW OBJECTIVES · Enhance occupant health and safety · Increase family, neighborhood and citywide pride by upgrading properties · Encourage citizens to remain homeowners in the City · Stabilize real estate market and prevent blight · Conserve energy and save money in utility costs · Undertake public improvements to support the housing investment · Increase property values · City of Hermitage Housing Rehabilitation Program - Preliminary Application STANDARDS · Applicants must meet HUD Section 8 Low/Moderate Income Eligibility · Applicants must have title to the property and live in the dwelling to be rehabilitated · Applicants must be current with their county, city and school taxes and city sewer fees · Applicants must have homeowner's insurance in effect on the rehab. property · Properties are listed on a first come, first served order of accommodation · Rehabilitation funds are limited to $17,500 per property · Homes are brought up to minimum Pennsylvania DCED Housing Quality Standards · Only city-approved general contractors may participate. Area contractors are welcome to apply for approval. · Funds may be used for: · necessary household fixtures (furnace, water heater, electric service and wiring,etc.) · basic property improvements (roofs, windows, doors, foundations, steps, sidewalks) · sanitary improvements · Funds may not be used for: · new construction for expansion of a structure · materials or equipment not customarily used in the locality · acquisition of land CONDITIONAL GRANTS · Rehabilitation funds are provided as conditional grants. The obligation of the homeowner is a Real Estate Mortgage to the City for five years. · Applicants agree to maintain the home without conveyance of interest or ownership for five years. If a change of status occurs, then a pro-rated repayment is required, otherwise, no out-of-pocket expense is required. · After the five year obligation is met, the mortgage lien is fully forgiven and no repayment or interest is required by the homeowner. · Over 300 Hermitage households have taken advantage of these funds during the Program's existence. All Hermitage homeowners who meet the above standards are welcome to apply. Download the housing rehabilitation contractor requirements Program History Hermitage is currently in its twenty-third year of Housing Rehabilitation. All housing units are occupied by low-to-moderate income families including the handicapped. The total CDBG funds that have been allocated to the Hermitage Housing Rehabilitation Program is $3,653,626. Contact Information To contact the housing rehabilitation office, e-mail your name, street address, and daytime telephone number to Jeremy Coxe, Community Planner, at jcoxe@hermitage.net, or call at 724-981-0800 ext. 265 between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM on weekdays. NEW IMPORTANT INFORMATION Home Improvement Contractors Registration Application - Due by July 1, 2009 In 2008, the Pennsylvania Legislature passed the Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act. The law requires that all contractors who perform at least $5,000 worth of home improvements per year register with the PA Attorney General's Office. The Attorney General's Office has worked to ensure that the registration process is as quick and easy as possible. Registration may be completed online or by mailing an application to their office. It is encouraged that all home improvement contractors complete their registration online, as they will receive their registration number and a printable temporary registration certificate instantaneously. As of July 1, 2009, consumers in Pennsylvania will be able to verify the contractor's registration with the Attorney General's office by visiting their website or by calling the toll-free hotline. In the coming months, their office will encourage consumers to use registered contractors when deciding to invest in home improvements. Pennsylvania Attorney General Website http://www.attorneygeneral.gov/hic.aspx?id=4313 New Program Information The City of Hermitage has recently partnered with the Lawrence County Community Action Partnership (LCCAP) to enter into the Northwest PA Lead Hazard Reduction Program. The LCCAP has received funding to assist municipalities in Northwest PA with lead hazard reduction. The funding is intended to provide safe environments for children most affected by lead based paint hazards. The City intends to partner with the LCCAP to receive additional funding to expedite qualified households with young children on our waiting list. This program will work hand-in-hand with the City's current housing rehabilitation program. Additional Resources New Pennsylvania Mortgage Rescue Initiatives Announced Foreclosure, Re-financing & Predatory Lending Assistance US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Housing Loans City of Hermitage, 800 North Hermitage Road, Hermitage, Pennsylvania 16148 Phone: 724-981-0800. Fax: 724-981-2008. www.hermitage.net All listings and artwork are Copyright © 2011 by City of Hermitage or links. Disclaimer