Contact: Intake Line 614-645-8526 (Voice Mail)

2007 Program Guidelines

The mission of the Home Safe and Sound Program is to assist individuals and families to remain in their homes and live independently in a safe and sound environment. Applicant and property criteria for participation in this program are outlined below.

Geographic Location and Eligible Properties

Eligible properties include owner-occupied properties located within the boundaries of the city's designated 2007 Neighborhood Pride Areas. To see the specific Neighborhood Pride maps and boundary information, click on one of the following links : Franklinton; Weinland Park; Clintonville; Southside CAN; Walnut Heights; and Driving Park. For more information about the Neighborhood Pride Program, click here.

The following properties are not eligible for funding under the Home Safe and Sound Program: duplexes, doubles, multi-family buildings, mobile homes and/or properties being purchased under land contract agreements. 

Applications

Intake is open for applications from the 2007 Neighborhood Pride Areas beginning April 1, 2007 through March 31, 2008.

Eligible Home Repair Work

Priority will be given to health and safety items and to those items for which repair will prevent further deterioration of the house. Eligible home repair activities can include items for which code citation violations are written. 

If repair work requires the breaking of painted surfaces, a lead risk assessment will be conducted (at no cost to the homeowner) in order to assess the scope of lead hazard control work necessary in the rehabilitation project. If the amount of repairs required by the code violation citations and/or lead hazard control work exceeds the program funding limit or the 95% loan to value limit (specified below), the Home Safe and Sound Program will attempt to prioritize the assistance within the program limits or decline assistance. 

All repair work must be completed by a contractor with a valid Home Improvement Contractor license.  

Eligible Households

Eligible households include families earning 80% or less of the area median income (AMI) as determined by HUD regulations, with adjustments for smaller and larger families/households. The applicant must have owned and occupied the property for 12 months prior to the time of application. 

Property taxes must be current at the time of application (or at the time of final approval for assistance by Home Safe and Sound Program) or the owner must be on a verifiable payment plan with the Franklin County Auditor's Office. 

NOTE: Total household income includes the income of all adults 18 years of age and older living in the home.

Financing Guidelines

Applicants may be eligible for 3% loans or 0% deferred loans of up to $25,000 for home repairs depending on household income and other underwriting criteria. Financing is provided on a first-come, first-served basis and is dependent on availability of funds.