People in low-income housing who need repairs to their homes can
receive help from the city through a grant program created in 1998.
Those who qualify can receive up to $5,000 toward repairs.
People in low-income housing who need repairs to their homes can receive help from the city through a grant program created in 1998. Those who qualify can receive up to $5,000 toward repairs.
The Redevelopment Agency (RDA) has created two programs, run by the Business Assistance and Housing Services (BAHS) that assists mobile home owners, the disabled and senior citizens with repairs to their homes.
When repairs, such as a leaky roof or a malfunctioning water heater, are requested by eligible applicants, an inspection is made to determine the amount of repairs needed. Generally the BAHS likes to make long term repairs.
“We like to replace what it broken rather than patching it up,” said Steve Pendleton, the administrator of the programs.
“If there is a leaky roof, we’ll replace the roof. If the water heater is not working, we’ll replace the water heater.”
Mary Tassani is a senior who benefited from the program. She has used the program twice to fix her mobile home and is grateful for both times.
“There are no words to express how they’ve helped me. I would never have gotten anything done if it weren’t for them.”
Four years ago, Tassani received $5,000 to replace an entire side of her house, along with some other minor repairs. Currently, she has received another $5,000 to replace her wash basin that was chipping, her furnace that didn’t work properly and the skirting around her home.
The amount of money a person can receive is based on both the income and the number of people living in the house hold. A person can receive up to $5,000 for repairs. Because this money is a grant, the receiver does not need to repay the money.
“What ever it was that I needed, I got it,” said Tassani. “If I had to pay it back, I could never have done it in a million years.”
Like Tassani, Joan Bottorff received money to help her make needed repairs to home.
“I got a new stove top, a kitchen sink, hot water, they fixed the shower stall, replaced my bathroom floor, and repaired anything else that my house needed,” she said.
“They fixed things that could have caused damage to my home.”
Like most programs in California, the repairs have been affected by budget cuts. Pendleton is optimistic, however, because the cuts will not hinder future aid.
“When we started we were receiving $500,000, and now we are receiving $375,000. We’ll be fine; our expenditures did not exceed $375,000 for last year. Even if we need more money, we could just go to the council,” stated Pendleton.
“I can’t thank them enough for what they’ve done,” said Tassani. “It was unbelievable.”
Details: 776-7373 or visit City Hall at 17555 Peak Ave.
