Southbury Applying for Home Improvement Loan Program

First Selectman Ed Edelson announced last week that Southbury is applying for a $400,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) under the housing rehabilitation category for town-wide housing rehabilitation.

As part of the application, the Town of Southbury is seeking interested parties to establish a waiting list of property owners interested in participating in the program.

The purpose of the grant is to provide funds for low and moderate income homeowners to make needed repairs to their homes. To be eligible, single homeowners must have an annual income that does not exceed $45,100, or a maximum of $51,550 for a household of two or more.

“One of the benefits of this grant is that since the money goes out as loans – at 0 percent interest which must eventually be repaid either by the homeowner or when the house changes title – the grant allows the town to establish a revolving loan fund in perpetuity to provide assistance to some residents who need home repair but do not have the funds to make the repairs and who cannot obtain the funds through bank loans,” the town said in a release.

Some possible uses that have been identified include replacing failed furnaces, roofs, windows, and septic system repairs. These funds can provide for ADA modifications to homes as well, such as entrance ramps and bathroom modifications.

To be eligible for this grant, the town must demonstrate that there is a demand and need for this program, that residents would welcome this assistance and would take advantage of the program to rehabilitate their homes.

Interested residents are encouraged to visit the town’s website and fill out a “letter of interest” that can be submitted electronically.

Also, anyone considering taking advantage of this program may contact Director of Elderly Services, Sharon Gesek at (203) 262-0651 or Social Services Director, Sandy Saren at (203) 262-0653.

The deadline for submitting a letter of interest is Mar. 29.