Housing Rehabilitation Grants

Housing Rehabilitation Grant Program

The program’s objective is to renovate the homes of income qualifying, owner-occupied, single-family detached homes (mobile homes are not eligible). The program operates within the jurisdiction of the LCG (the City of Lafayette and unincorporated regions of Lafayette Parish). Rehabilitation work conducted addresses housing code violations, ADA compliance, sewer needs, and energy conservation. Housing reconstruction is allowed in accordance with applicable federal regulations.

Once an applicant’s eligibility has been determined, the applicant will receive consideration for a deferred payment loan of up to $50,000 and labor provided by a LCG, CDP carpentry crew.

Program qualification requirements are:

Applicant must reside in the home at the time they apply and while on the waiting list;
Applicant must own the property requiring rehabilitation and have lived there for at least 3 years;
Applicant’s home must not be located in an existing or proposed FEMA flood zone;
Applicant’s home must be free of lead paint and asbestos;
Applicant must be willing to relocate while the rehabilitation work is being conducted. The LCG, CDP maintains 4 homes that are available to Housing Rehabilitation Program participants during the rehabilitation of their home; and
Applicant must meet HUD income guidelines

A waiting list, consisting of priority ratings, determines when rehabilitation work will begin on an applicant’s home. Priority points are awarded for the following:

Age;
Length of residency;
Handicap or Disability;
Efforts to maintain your property; and
Length of time spent on the program waiting list.

The higher the applicant’s priority rating, the sooner the rehabilitation work will begin.

Participant Obligations

Rehabilitation grants are awarded as conditional grants (deferred payment loans). As such, program participants are not indebted to the LCG unless their property is sold, rented, or not used as their personal primary residence for fifteen years after the rehabilitation work has been completed. At the end of fifteen years, the participant is cleared of all program obligations and is free to enter into any type of legal transaction regarding the assisted property.

Summary of the housing rehabilitation process:

Application: Call 291-7357, or email housingrehab@lafayettela.gov
Homeowner counseling
Inspection of your home
Cost estimate/work write-up
Contract signing
Temporary relocation of homeowner
Rehabilitation work begins
Follow-up inspection of home
Mortgage Cancellation (after 15 years)

If you are interested in applying for the LCG, CDP Housing Rehabilitation, please click on the link below, complete the form and then click “Submit”. The CD Program Specialist will contact you once the form has been reviewed.

RAMP GRANT PROGRAM

The program’s objective is to assist homeowners in accessibility to their single-family, owner-occupied houses. Handicap accessibility is necessary in order to improve the quality of life for many individuals.

To be eligible for assistance, a house must be structurally sound as determined by a housing code inspection.

Program qualification requirements are:

Applicant must reside in the home at the time they apply;
Applicant must own the property needing a ramp and have lived there for at least 3 years; and
Applicant must meet HUD income guidelines

MINOR HOUSING REHABILITATION GRANT PROGRAM

The program’s objective is to assist homeowners in correcting minor deficiencies in their single-family, owner-occupied houses. Minor rehabilitation assistance is provided for essential repairs to improve livability, prevent further deterioration, improve energy efficiency, and revitalize neighborhoods.

To be eligible for assistance, a house must be structurally sound as determined by a housing code inspection. The Housing Rehabilitation Specialist shall make the determination as to which services are appropriate for each applicant based on the applicant’s needs and the condition of their house.

Program qualification requirements are:

Applicant must reside in the home at the time they apply and while on the waiting list;
Applicant must own the property requiring rehabilitation and have lived there for at least 3 years;
Applicant must have current homeowner’s insurance;
Applicant’s home must not be located in an existing or proposed FEMA flood zone;
Applicant’s home must be free of lead paint and asbestos; and
Applicant must meet HUD income guidelines

A waiting list, consisting of priority ratings, determines when rehabilitation work will begin on an applicant’s home. The minimum CDBG investment in any activity shall be $2,500.

Single systems activities eligible under this program:

Housing Rehab Single Systems

Roof Repair/Replacement (Maximum $7,500)

A roof system is integral to maintaining the structure of a house. Therefore, if an applicant’s roof is in need of replacement/repair, the applicant will not be eligible for other rehabilitation assistance until the roof has been addressed. Minor deficiencies to soffit and fascia will be repaired as part of this activity.

Handicap Accessibility (Maximum $15,000)

Handicap accessibility is necessary in order to improve the quality of life for many individuals. Eligible activities include the installation of handicap ramps and bathroom accessibility improvements, space permitting.

Painting Assistance (Maximum $7,500)

Houses constructed prior to 1978 shall be tested for the presence of lead-based paint. Houses exceeding the maximum threshold for the presence of lead-based paint shall not be eligible for painting assistance. Painting assistance shall include pressure-washing, painting and minor carpentry necessary to replace deteriorated exterior surfaces. Applicants in need of roof replacement/repair shall not be eligible for painting assistance until the roof has been adequately addressed. Unless brick or vinyl/coil trim were previously painted prior to application for assistance, such surfaces shall not be painted.

Electrical Panel Boxes (Maximum $7,500)

Eligible expenses are limited to replacement of breaker panel, meter base and overhead service pipe.

Bathroom Rehabilitation (Maximum $7,500)

Deterioration resulting from plumbing issues will be addressed on a case-by-case basis. Eligibility will be determined based on the cause and extent of damage to the bathroom.

Sewer Plants/Septic Systems (Maximum $4,000)

Repair/upgrade and servicing of an existing Health Department-approved system is limited to aerator, discharge pump, field lines, discharge lines and holding tank. All activities are subject to Inspector review in consultation with the Housing Rehabilitation Specialist.

Add-On Services

Add-on services are only available in conjunction with other single system activities.

Safety Improvements – Activities include the replacement of exterior doors and door locks, installation of handrails and grab bars, replacement of concrete steps, provision and installation of smoke/carbon monoxide detectors, and provision of fire extinguishers.
Energy Efficiency Improvements – Repair/replacement of window screens and weather stripping, and installation of attic insulation.

SEWER ASSISTANCE REPAIR PROGRAM

Through Lafayette Consolidated Government’s Sewer Assistance Repair Program, low to moderate-income homeowners may be eligible for assistance in making necessary repairs to their systems. This includes but is not limited to repairing/replacing an aerator, discharge pump, sewer lines, field lines, discharge lines and holding tank.

All activities are subject to Inspector review in consultation with the Housing Rehabilitation Specialist.

Program qualification requirements:

Applicant must reside in the home at the time of application
Applicant must own the property and have lived there for at least 3 years
Applicant must meet HUD income guidelines

The Lafayette City-Parish Consolidated Government’s (LCG) Housing Rehabilitation Program is funded by the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) Entitlement Grants. This program is managed by the LCG, Community Development & planning Department (CDP).

Lafayette Consolidated Government
705 West University Avenue
Lafayette, LA 70506
General Information/Questions Call: (337) 291-8200 or 311
info@lafayettela.gov

Regular Business Hours:
Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. until noon and 1 p.m. until 5 p.m