Senior and Disabled Home Rehabilitation Loan Program
The purpose of the Seniors and Disabled Home Rehabilitation Loan Program is to assist very low income senior and disabled homeowners in repairing their homes, to eliminate conditions that pose a threat to their health and safety, and to help preserve the City housing stock. Qualified borrowers can receive interest-free loans of up to $35,000. Financial assistance is in the form of a deferred payment loan that is due and payable upon the sale or transfer of title to the property.
The building to be rehabilitated has to be located within the City of Berkeley boundaries. The property will contain no more than two units. Only the unit occupied by the senior or disabled homeowner is eligible to receive assistance.
WHO QUALIFIES?
Qualified senior or disabled Berkeley homeowners may qualify for an interest-free loan of up to $70,000, to repair or alter their home under staff supervision. Repayment is deferred until sale or transfer of property, when the eligible homeowner ceases to occupy the property, or upon maturity date. To qualify, an applicant must meet ALL of the following criteria:
- 62 years of age and older OR permanently disabled;
- Owner and resident of property to be rehabilitated/improved; and
- Have an annual income within the guidelines listed below:
Number of Persons in Family/Household
|
Income Limit
|
Number of Persons in Family/Household
|
Income Limit
|
1
|
$30,150
|
5
|
$46,500
|
2
|
34,450
|
6
|
49,950
|
3
|
38,750
|
7
|
53,400
|
4
|
43,050
|
8
|
56,850
|
WHAT REPAIRS CAN BE DONE UNDER THE PROGRAM?
Typical repairs include:
- CARPENTRY: Ramp construction. Porch repair. Steps. Handrails. Entry doors and locks.
- ELECTRICAL UPGRADE FOR SAFETY
- PLUMBING: Toilets and faucets, Drain lines, Sewer
- RE-ROOFING
- EARTHQUAKE/FIRE PROTECTION WORK: Bolt foundation. Brace crawl space walls. Anchor water heater. Remove brick chimney. Install approved release window bars and smoke detectors.
- FOUNDATIONS: Repair or replacement
- WALLS: Stucco siding repair. Interior wall patching and painting.
- MISCELLANEOUS: Heating system repair/replacement. Broken window repair/replacement. Yardwork, including tree pruning. Hauling debris.
Program Guidelines:
To view the program guidelines, click on this link, Program Guidelines for Seniors and Disabled Home Rehabilitation Loan Program.
HOW TO APPLY:
Call Mr. Ener Cueva at (510) 981-5400. Give him your name, address, and phone number, along with a brief description of the repairs needed. If you qualify, he will place your name on our waiting list. A Housing Inspector will contact you to schedule an evaluation visit.