Home Improvement Programs
As part of an ongoing effort to preserve and enhance its residential neighborhoods, the City of Fountain Valley is offering federal and state funded home improvement grants, rebates and loans to qualified homeowners. Eligible improvements include interior/exterior painting; accessibility modifications; stucco repair; roofing; plumbing, electrical and heating systems; termite eradication and damage repair; weatherization; and room additions in over-crowded situations.
All improvements must be completed by an approved contractor with a California State contractor’s license in good standing. All contractors must also carry current general liability and worker’s compensation insurance policies, and must obtain a City of Fountain Valley Business License.
Home Improvement Application
Lead Booklet Handout
Available Programs
The City of Fountain Valley implements several home improvement programs to assist qualified low- and moderate-income homeowners in making needed repairs to their homes. These programs include the Single-Family Home Grant, Rebate and Loan programs, and the Mobile home Rehabilitation Grant and Rebate Programs.
Qualified households may receive assistance under a maximum of two of the City’s three home improvement programs. Households that qualify for participation in multiple programs may choose to use both sources of assistance simultaneously or on separate occasions. Participants are limited to two (2) forms of assistance within any seven (7) year period.
Applicants must receive approval from City staff prior to the commencement of any work. Any work completed prior to the receipt of approval from City staff will not receive funding.
A description of each of the City’s Home Improvement Programs is provided below:
Grants
Under the City of Fountain Valley Single-Family Home Grant Program, qualified homeowners may receive a grant of up to $5,000 for eligible repairs. The homeowner is not required to pay back any portion of the financial assistance received under this program.
The Single-Family Home Grant Program is funded through a grant received from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). To qualify for assistance under this program, a household’s income must fall below the Low-Income Limits set by HUD. See chart below.
Rebates
Under the City of Fountain Valley Single-Family Home Rebate Program, qualified low-income homeowners can receive a rebate of up to $5,000 for reimbursement of expenses incurred in completing approved repairs/ improvements. Rebate amounts are calculated at 50% of the total cost of improvements and are disbursed after the homeowner has paid for the initial cost of the repairs/improvements.
Low-Interest Loans
In addition to the Single-Family Home Grant and Rebate programs, qualified homeowners may borrow up to $50,000 under the City’s Low-Interest Loan program for eligible repairs. Loans provided under this program accrue simple annual interest as low as 3%, with varying loan terms and monthly payment amounts depending on each applicant’s ability to repay the loan.
Households with limited disposable income may qualify to receive a deferred loan. Under the Deferred Loan program, qualified homeowners may receive a (25) year loan with no required monthly payments.
- Special Requirements: Home Improvement Program loans must be recoreded in second position or higher except where homeowner has an outstanding City of Fountain Valley First-Time Homebuyer (FTHB) Program loan.
Green Rehabilitation Program
The City of Fountain Valley Green Rehabilitation Program will offer a 0% interest loan program to assist low-income homeowners with up to $25,000 to make qualifying “Green” improvements to their homes. Eligible low-income homeowners may combine up to $25,000 of the Green Rehabilitation Loan Program with other City of Fountain Valley Home Rehabilitation Programs but the total of all rehabilitation loans may not exceed $50,000.
Mobile home Rehabilitation Program
Financial assistance in the form of grants and rebates up to $5,000 (calculated at 50% of the total project cost) of rehabilitation costs are available to qualified mobile home owners who wish to make needed repairs to their mobile homes. Maximum amount of grant is $7,000 ($9,500 if roof replacement is necessary). To qualify for assistance under these programs, a household’s income must fall below the Low-Income Limits set by HUD. See chart below.
How Does A Homeowner Apply?
The initial step in participating in the City of Fountain Valley’s Home Improvement Program is to obtain an application from the Fountain Valley Housing and Community Development Division. The Housing and Community Development Division is located in City Hall at 10200 Slater Avenue. Business hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. All applications are processed on a first-come first-serve basis.
Who Is Eligible?
City of Fountain Valley homeowner-occupants whose gross annual incomes (before deductions) do not exceed either the low- or moderate-income limits established by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and whose liquid assets do not exceed $50,000. Ownership of rental property or other real estate holdings other than household's primary residence is prohibited. The applicability of HUD’s low-income versus moderate-income limits is dependent upon the specific program under which the homeowner is participating. Additional information regarding the City’s various Home Improvement Programs and related eligibility requirements may be found under the Available Programs section of this brochure.
What Types Of Improvements Are Eligible?
All previous renovations, not properly permitted, must be brought into compliance prior to participation in the program. All health and safety related problems and code violations (e.g. faulty wiring, unsanitary plumbing, and unpermitted structures) must be corrected before general improvements can be made. Once all health and safety related issues have been corrected, general home improvement items will be considered.
2008 Income Limits
# of Persons in Household
|
Low Income Limit |
Moderate Income Limit |
1 |
$52,100 |
$72,300 |
2 |
$59,500 |
$82,650 |
3 |
$66,950 |
$92,950 |
4 |
$74,400 |
$103,300 |
5 |
$80,350 |
$111,550 |
6 |
$86,300 |
$119,850 |
7 |
$92,250 |
$128,100 |
8 |
$98,250 |
$136,350 |
