Housing Enhancement Loan Programs

The Housing Enhancement Loan Programs (HELP) were created to increase, improve, and preserve the supply of housing occupied by persons and families of low and moderate income. HELP provides forgivable loans to assist residents enhance the homes that they own. In turn, these home improvements result in many benefits to the community, including:

• Improving, promoting, and preserving positive neighborhood characteristics;
• Promoting varied housing opportunities;
• Improving and enhancing the housing stock;
• Remediating health and safety issues; and
• Supporting and promoting the growth and vitality of the business environment

Who and what improvements are eligible for the loans?

Homeowners must meet certain income requirements and be willing to have a deed restriction recorded on their properties over the period of the forgivable loan. HELP loans may be used to make a variety of interior and exterior improvements to homes and their landscaping.

Examples of eligible improvements include painting, lighting, windows, doors, stucco, tile, fencing, sidewalks, drought-resistant landscaping, roofs, flooring, carpet, lead paint abatement, electrical, cabinets, sprinklers, sod, water heaters, wall heaters, plumbing, sinks, showers, walkways, and garage doors.

Examples of ineligible improvements include non-permanent fixtures, security systems, personal property, equipment, and any other improvements deemed by the Redevelopment Agency to be inconsistent with redevelopment purposes and objectives.

The Redevelopment Agency has approved program guidelines for each of the above areas where HELP loans are available. The following program guidelines describe in detail, according to area, the eligible participants, the eligible properties, the eligible improvements, and the loan terms: