Owner-Occupied Housing Rehabilitation Grant

West Norriton Township received American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to provide homeowners township-wide, who meet low- and moderate-income eligibility requirements, financial assistance needed to rehabilitate owner-occupied residences. The township has allocated a total of $300,000 towards this program and each household can apply for a maximum of $10,000 in grant funding should they meet the eligibility criteria. 

The Owner-Occupied Housing Rehabilitation Program will increase access of low-income homeowners to rehabilitation funds to provide safe and decent housing. The program will focus on critical systems of the home including the heating, plumbing and electrical systems and repairs or replacements to maintain the housing structure.

The objectives of the program are simple and straightforward:

• Eliminate unsafe and unsanitary living conditions for low and moderate-income homeowners.   
• Address code compliance.
• Preserve, maintain and improve the affordable housing stock.
• Prevent the decline of properties and eliminate blighted areas.
• Address lead-based paint hazards in pre 1978 housing.
• Expand living options for person with disabilities through home modification.
  Facilitate aging in place.
• Program will address essential repair necessary to safeguard against imminent danger to human life, health, or safety. 
• The program will allow for repairs necessary to protect the property from further structural damage.

Some examples of essential repairs include: heater system, furnace, and hot water replacement, repair of structure deficiencies that could lead to collapse of roofs, floors, ceiling, stairs and / or framing; repair of plumbing system failures such as cracked potable water or sanitary lines; correction of electrical deficiencies that could result in shock or fire; correction of security deficiencies such as the replacement of exterior doors and windows; lateral connections to water and sanitary sewer extensions imposed by a local water authority or government. Additional essential repairs may include sidewalk replacement.

Examples of non-essential repairs: carpets, garages, landscaping, fences, driveways, pools, and other non-permanent improvements. These projects will not be applicable under the program.

Low- or moderate-income households and communities are those with (i) income at or below 300 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines for the size of the household based on the most recently published poverty guidelines or (ii) income at or below 65 percent of the area median income for the county and size of household based on the most recently published data. For the vast majority of communities, the Federal Poverty Guidelines are higher than the area’s median income and using the Federal Poverty Guidelines would result in more households and communities being presumed eligible. 

The income thresholds vary by household size; recipients should generally use income thresholds for the appropriate household size but can use a default household size of three when easier for administration or when measuring income for a general community. 

The income limit for 300 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines for a household of three is $74,580 per year (FY 2023). In other words, recipients can always presume that a household earning below this level, or a community with median income below this level, is impacted by the pandemic and eligible for services to respond. 

Your household annual income must be less than the following limits including all salary, pensions, social security, and interest on assets. For this purpose, income means annual income as defined under the HUD Section 8, Housing Assistance Payments Program at 24 CFR 5.609 . The income limit is pursuant to 300 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines as of 2023.

When determining a family’s annual income, you must consider all amounts, monetary or not, including the full amount, before any payroll deductions, of wages and salaries, overtime pay, commissions, fees, tips and bonuses, compensation for personal services, and more, as defined in 24 CFR 5.609. Annual income is a family’s anticipated total or gross income minus allowable exclusions (e.g., TOTAL/GROSS INCOME – EXCLUSIONS = ANNUAL INCOME). Submission of your most recent tax form would be sufficient.

Household/ Family Size        225%    250%        275%    300%

1        $32,805    $36,450        $40,095    $43,740

2        $44,370    $49,300        $54,230    $59,160

3        $55,935    $62,150        $68,365    $74,580

4        $67,500    $75,000        $82,500    $90,000

5        $79,065    $87,850        $96,635    $105,420

6        $90,630    $100,700        $110,770    $120,840

You must own and occupy a single-family home in West Norriton, with residency of 10 years or more. (No rental properties applicable under this program.)

For more information and to find the program application you can click here.