Schuylkill Community Action is the “Local Program Administrator” for the Keystone Renovate and Repair Loan Program offered by the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA). The purpose of the R&R Program is to fill a gap in the home repair lending market and to help prevent homeowners from becoming victims of predatory lending practices. Many Pennsylvania homeowners are not eligible for assistance programs designed to help homeowners repair their homes. They therefore turn to the conventional loan market for financing, which is generally provided in the form of a home equity loan. These type loans often have variable interest rates; require considerable equity in the home; may provide more financing than the applicant needs; and provide little or no guidance regarding what repairs should be made, how to select a contractor, what to include in a contract, how to determine if the work was done satisfactory, how long the work should take, etc.

The R&R Program is designed to help households with incomes up to 150 percent of the greater of the statewide or area median income (as established by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development) which currently stands at $90,000 annually. The R&R loan provides an attractive interest rate and also provides the homeowner with assistance regarding repairs and/ or improvements to be completed. In this regard, the Program provides much more than a loan – it provides peace of mind in knowing that the right home repairs are done and were completed in a timely manner with quality workmanship. This Program is intended to finance renovations to improve the basic livability of the home, as well as repairs to items affecting health, safety, energy efficiency, accessibility, and code violations. Luxury and purely cosmetic items such as hot tubs, pools, gazebos, etc. are not permissible under the program.

All participants must meet Program eligibility requirements. Some of the requirements of the Keystone Renovate and Repair Loan Program are:

• Borrower must be the owner or must be in the process of purchasing the home
• Borrower must reside (or plan to reside) in the home as their principal residence
• Borrowers must meet certain credit criteria/ guidelines
• Borrower must be current on property tax bills
• Borrower must keep home properly insured through a Homeowners Insurance policy
• Household income must not exceed 150 percent of the greater of the current statewide or area median income as established by US HUD

Examples of major system repair or replacement includes the following systems: roof and drainage, electrical, fire and smoke protection, plumbing and fixtures, and heating.

Access modification/retrofitting assistance for disabled persons will be designed to expand living options, promote health and safety, and increase the ability to function effectively in the home. Access modification may include such improvements as ramps, zero-step entrances, widening doors and hallways.

Senior citizen is defined for the purpose of this program as an individual sixty-two (62) years of age or older. A disabled person is defined for the purposes of this program as an individual who is permanently disabled and has limited access or limited use of his/her/their dwelling unit. The disability must be verified by either Social Security Disability Determination or by a physician's statement. The program beneficiary must either have a disability or be the caretaker of a person with a disability, including dependents with disabilities that are in the care of their parents or legal guardian.

The applicant(s) must reside in Schuylkill County to be eligible for assistance. They must be the owner on record of the property to be assisted. Applicant(s) must utilize the property as their principal place of residence.

Ownership interest must be fee simple title or a minimum five-year leasehold interest (long-term ground lease). Value of the property to be assisted must be "modest" and may not exceed 95% of the FHA 203(b) Mortgage Limits for Schuylkill County which is currently set at $160,176. Applicant must document current status for all real estate taxes and homeowners insurance.

All applicants must meet certain income eligibility requirements. Household income may not exceed eighty percent (80%) of median income for senior citizens and one hundred percent (100%) of median income for disabled beneficiaries as established for Schuylkill County by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development. Total income of all residents living in the household will be considered.

Assistance will be provided in the form of a zero percent (0%), five-year "conditional" grant. This grant will be forgiven in its entirety if the recipient(s) continues to reside in the assisted property for a period of five (5) full years and complies with all Program Guidelines.

For more information on the Schuylkill County Senior or Disabled Housing Repair Program, please call SCA at (570)622-1995

All participants must meet Program eligibility requirements. For additional information, please contact SCA at (570)622-1995.