How it Works
The Critical Home Repair program operates via an open/close application cycle. To receive an application, interested homeowners or advocates of homeowners must submit an interest form. Using the information you submit, our Family Services team performs a pre-screening to determine your basic eligibility criteria for the Critical Home Repair program.
Requirements
How to Qualify
In order to qualify for the Critical Home Repair program, certain criteria must be met by the applicants and the home itself.
The property must be located in our service area (Charlotte, Pineville, Huntersville, Cornelius, Davidson, Iredell County, or Gaston County).
Eligible properties include single-family detached homes or manufactured mobile homes affixed to a permanent location.
Townhomes, Condos and Multi-Residences are ineligible at this time.
The applicant must have owned the property for 5 years and must be owner-occupied.
Cannot be in danger of foreclosure by way of mortgage delinquencies, property liens or have property taxes more than 1 year delinquent.
Cannot own any additional residential property.
Homeowners who were previously served through Habitat’s Critical Home Repair program can reapply after 10 years of the work complete date.
Area Median Income eligibility criteria will be based on the current needs of the Critical Home Repair pipeline and will be set before each application cycle.
Upcoming applications will be reviewed from households earning 50% or below the HUD Area Median Income. Proof of income for the entire household will be required to determine income eligibility.
Types of Repairs
Eligible Repair Projects
Critical Home Repair addresses repairs where the owner’s health and safety may be at risk, with the goal of allowing homeowners to age safely in their homes without fear of displacement. For each project, a home assessment is completed to identify critical repairs needed.
What We Cover
- Unsafe structures (roofing, flooring, etc.)
- Lack of heating and cooling
- Electrical or plumbing hazards
- Accessibility needs (limited to ramps, railings, walk-in showers, etc.)
What We Do Not Cover
- Painting and other visual updates
- Replacing carpeting or flooring (unless part of structural repairs)
- Window replacement (unless rotted or containing lead)
- Bathroom or kitchen remodels (unless for accessibility, structural, or plumbing repairs)
- Emergency repairs
How it Works
Let's Break This Down
How it Works
Let's Break This Down
Program Partnership
We are proud to partner with you through our Critical Home Repair program. To ensure everything runs smoothly, we’ll need a few things from you:
- Accurate info and documents
- Open lines of communication
- A safe and accessible workspace for our Habitat team, subcontractors, and volunteers
To help preserve affordable housing in our community, we’ll ask you to follow some simple guidelines about using and selling your home for up to five years after repairs are completed. We’re here to help every step of the way.
FAQs
Find answers to commonly asked questions.
How long will it take to start my repairs after submitting my application?
If approved, it can take 12-14 months from the time an application has been submitted to repair work starting on your home.
How much will it cost to have my home repaired?
Critical Home Repairs are completed at no financial cost to the homeowner. Your repayment to Habitat Charlotte Region comes in the form of a five-year deed restriction on your home. A deed restriction does NOT allow Habitat Charlotte Region to take your home away; it just ensures your home stays affordable for the foreseeable future, even if you should decide to sell it later.
Do I have to complete volunteer hours like new Habitat homeowners?
No, the Critical Home Repair program does not require any volunteer hours. However, Habitat will provide optional opportunities to attend educational workshops and events that will help you to age in place in your home.
I don't need repairs done to my own home, but I know someone who might qualify. Can I refer or recommend them?
Yes you can! To refer someone please fill out the “Interest form” listing the name of the homeowner and property address that needs repair. We will prescreen the property address to see if it meets our basic property criteria, if so, then we will contact them and ask them to apply when applications become available in their area.
Still have questions?
Contact us for further assistance.