Single Family Home Repair Program
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The goals of the Single Family Home Repair Program ("SFHRP") are to assist as many homeowners as possible, to address only repairs needed to alleviate threats to health, life, and safety of homeowners, to improve curb appeal, uplift the general street appearance of the City of Houston, and to keep costs at a minimum.
The SFHRP offers three different options based on the dollar amount and type of repair.
The three types of repairs include the following:
Emergency Repairs (Tier I) - Repair for emergency situations that were beyond the control of homeowner, i.e., removal of gas meter because of leaks in the system, wind damage to roof covering, damage by lightening, etc. Request for repair services must be within two weeks of the event.
Rehabilitation (Tier II) - Repairs to correct deferred maintenance items, i.e., replacement of old roof covering, foundation repair, exterior painting, etc.
Reconstruction (Tier III) - When a structure is determined to be beyond rehabilitation (very poor overall condition), the old structure is razed and a new home reconstructed on the site.
- Eligibility Guidelines Grid (.pdf, 6.25.09)
The SFHRP Administrative Guidelines have been amended and restated to include the following:
- The eligibility income limit was increased from 50% to 80% of area median income.
- Age and disability eligibility criteria were eliminated, except for Tier I - emergency repair as defined by the guidelines. Tier I emergency repairs will continue to be limited to applicants 62 years of age or older or applicants on disability.
- Tier II repairs are limited to the repair items identified in the guidelines and not to exceed an initial in-house estimate of $30,000 per home.
- The Housing and Community Development Department's (HCDD) annual plan and budget for Reconstruction (Tier III) is limited to $1,000,000 combined annual expense. Priority will be given to applicants meeting the following criteria:
- Homeowners with friends or relatives who can provide them with interim housing during the construction process.
- Homeowners who have clear title without outstanding liens or mortgages.
- Homeowners who apply and meet all other qualifications for assistance.
Threshold requirements for applicants to be considered for the SFHRP:
- Applicants must have proof of ownership without questions of heirship and clear title to the property.
- Applicants for Tier I and Tier II assistance must have occupied the property as a primary residence for the past 5 years; 10 years for Tier III reconstruction.
- Property must not be in a floodway or the 100-year floodplain; except properties receiving Emergency repairs approved under Tier I with the purchase of flood insurance for one year.
- Applicants' household income must be at or below 80% of area median income adjusted for family size.
- All property taxes must be current.
- Applicants must provide proof of current homeowners insurance on the property and agree to maintain current insurance on the property during the deferred loan payment period.
If you meet the threshold requirements listed above, please contact the Housing and Community Development Department's Call Center at 713.522.4663.
