The Housing Assistance Program of Essex County began assisting communities and property owners with housing repairs in 1984. Since then, over 1100 housing units have been renovated in Essex County using $15 million in grant money from both federal and state sources. Housing rehabilitation programs in the county are funded annually, and vary in scope and location from year to year.
The housing rehabilitation programs currently available at HAPEC are:
New York State CDBG Small Cities Program
NY's Governor's Office for Small Cities provides block grants to address a wide range of community needs such as housing rehabilitation, public infrastructure improvements, and economic revitalization. HAPEC is currently administering housing rehabilitation programs in the Towns of Moriah, North Elba, and Willsboro that provide low/moderate income homeowners with deferred payment loans of up to $20,000 to make necessary housing repairs.
New York State HOME Program
The New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal's HOME Program provides funds to communities and not for profit agencies with a wide range of affordable housing activities including rehabilitation, new construction, and home buyer assistance. HAPEC currently administers a county-wide housing rehabilitation program which assists low income homeowners with necessary home repairs throughout Essex County.
New York State RESTORE Program
The RESTORE Program provides emergency home repairs to low-income elderly homeowners. HAPEC will act quickly to correct housing conditions which pose a threat to life, health, or safety to homeowners over the age of 60. This program provides up to $5,000 per homeowner and is allocated for cases of emergency on a first come first serve basis until the annual allotment is expended.
