Brandon Twp.-When Esther Schieltz received her tax papers in the mail just about a year ago, she got a little something extra that caused her a great deal of disbelief.
It wasn’t a refund or a bill that got her attention, but information about a home repair loan’one with 0 or 3 percent interest and no payments. Not just until next year or the year after. A loan of up to $18,000 that she wouldn’t have to pay back until she sold her house.
‘I studied it for awhile,? said Schieltz, 60, who is single and works for Cranbrook Schools. I thought, ‘Could this be for real???
It was.
Schieltz requested an application from the Oakland County Community and Home Improvement Division for a loan in their Home Improvement Program. The program is intended for low to moderate income residents of Oakland County who need repairs or remodeling of their home, says Kathy Williams, public information officer for the community home improvement division. The program uses Housing and Urban Developement guidelines in determining who is eligible for a loan. A family of four can have income of up to $55,900 per year, well above poverty level. Applicants must have enough equity in the loan to ensure loan administrators get the money back and the home must be insured. Homeowners should also be current on their house payments and taxes. Once eligibility is determined, inspectors come out to decide with homeowners what the most pressing issues are.
‘We do just about everything except additions, garages and fences,? said Williams. The list of work performed includes roofs, siding, electrical, heat, plumbing, wells, septic systems, porches, driveways, and bathrooms. Schieltz, who had been in her home 20 years without a porch, finally got one. She also had her roof replaced and her kitchen remodeled, with all new cabinets, countertops, wall trim, a new subfloor and carpet, ceramic tile and new back door and two new appliances put in’a microwave over the stove and a dishwasher, something she’d never had. Additionally, she also got new windows and water softener. This year is the 30th anniversary of the program. Williams says close to 6,000 jobs have been done in that time, including 68 in Brandon Township and 25 in Ortonville. All contractors and workers are insured and licensed and bids are taken for all jobs. Contractors are paid from program administrators once the home is inspected.
‘We take a lot of the aggravation out of it for the homeowners,? Williams said. While the program is a loan, up to 50 percent of applicants have been able to defer the loan until the home is sold and another 40 percent have a partially deferred loan. Loan deferrment and interest rate (zero or 3 percent) is based on income. ‘Interest rates are going up and equity interest rates will go up, too,? said Williams. ‘Our rate stays the same. Good credit, bad credit, no credit. We accept everyone who comes to us as long as they meet income guidelines and have equity. We have repeat customers. You can come to us every five years, even if your first loan isn’t paid off.?
The Home Improvement Program is funded through two sources’HOME, a grant for affordable housing, and CDBG (Community Development Block Grant), the major source of funding. ‘It’s a wonderful program, a great way to revitalize your home,? Williams said. ‘No need to worry about hidden fees, we make sure permits are pulled and the work is done properly. We make sure everyone is satisfied.?
Schieltz agreed.
‘Everyone who sees my home now says ‘Wow,? she said. ‘I love it. I don’t want to go anywhere anymore. I just want to stay home and enjoy it.?
For more information on the home improvement program through the Community and Home Improvement Division, call (248) 858-0493.