Mar 16, 2017 2 min read

Canonsburg Borough Council is encouraging low- and moderate-income residents to take advantage of a home rehabilitation program available through Washington County Redevelopment Authority.

The Home Rehabilitation Loan Program, funded by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, provides loans of as much as $24,500 for homeowners to make needed repairs and improvements to their properties.

At the council meeting Monday, Councilman John Severine said the borough receives an allotment of about $400,000, but in past years, some of the money has gone unused because eligible residents do not apply for the program.

Interested residents must mail their applications to the Redevelopment Authority. Applications are funded on a first come, first served basis.

The loan can be used to correct housing problems and for energy-conservation improvements. Most home repairs are eligible, except for unnecessary luxuries or cosmetic repairs.

Homeowners are eligible if they occupy a home within Washington County, meet certain income requirements, are current with property taxes and have no municipal, state or federal liens.

The home value, after rehabilitation, cannot exceed $157,000, based on assessed value.

Maximum income categories range from $39,900 for a single occupant to $75,200 for a family of eight or more.

Borrowers are eligible for a deferred loan at 0 percent interest. According to the redevelopment authority, the principal amount of the loan would become due when the property is sold.

The loan will be unconditionally forgiven at a rate of 10 percent of the loan amount each year if the borrower continues to own and live in the property for 10 years after the loan is made.

“It’s a great program, but we don’t use up that $400,000 every year because not enough people take advantage of it,” said Severine. “We end up losing that money, and that’s a shame.”

For questions about the home rehabilitation program, call the redevelopment authority at 724-228-6875.