Nov 12, 2014 2 min read

WAYNESBURG – Greene County Human Services is piloting a rental rehabilitation program that will assist eligible landlords in making much-needed improvements and ultimately help bring onto the market more rental housing for people with special needs.

Under the program, eligible landlords would receive grants of up to $7,500 per unit, or no more than 50 percent of the rehabilitation cost. Funding for the program is provided through Greene County’s share of Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement Act funds.

Applicants would have to be landlords in Greene County with at least a one-year history of providing housing to individuals served by Greene County Human Services. Landlords would have to be up-to-date on county and local real estate taxes and have adequate property insurance. They cannot have any open litigation or discrimination complaints against them and must have rental properties that do not currently meet local building code and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Housing Quality Standards. Landowners must also agree to charge rents within HUD’s Fair Market Rent system after rehabilitation is complete.

Properties must require at least $10,000 in rehabilitation work to be brought into compliance with HUDHQS and local code standards. Work necessary to bring the property into compliance with federal lead-based paint removal requirements is also eligible for the program.

Once approved, each landlord must sign a three-year agreement to lease rental properties to individuals referred by Greene County Human Services. Landlords who do not continue to lease properties to referred individuals within that three-year period must repay Greene County Human Services on a prorated basis.

All applications will be reviewed by the county housing specialist, human services administrator and the department’s solicitor, and will be evaluated for how the project will bring the property up to code. Acceptance into the program will be based on the quality of the improvements to the property and to the immediate area. Greene County Human Services will ensure projects are dispersed throughout the county with an emphasis on residents’ convenience to supportive services.

For more information on the rental rehabilitation program, or to apply, call Greene County Human Services at 724-852-5276.