Montclair Homeowners May Be Eligible For $24K In Repair Funds

MONTCLAIR, NJ — Need to make home repairs in Montclair? There’s a program that may score you thousands of dollars to get the job done, town officials say.

On Tuesday, officials issued a reminder about Montclair’s home improvement program, through which eligible homeowners and landlords can receive up to $24,000 in repairs.

Here’s the deal, officials said:

“If you live in Montclair, own your home, and your total gross annual household income falls below the income limit for your household size, you may qualify to participate in the program. If your home is in need of repair or replacement of a major system, such as roof, electric, heating, plumbing, windows, etc., you may be able to get up to $24,000 for home improvements through the Montclair Home Improvement Program. The Home Improvement Program was created to assist eligible low- and moderate-income households with repairs or replacement of major home systems (such as a roof or heating system) to correct existing interior and exterior health, safety and substandard code conditions. Funds may be used only for work and repairs required to make the house code standard, conserve energy and remove health and/or safety hazards.”

There is no cost to apply and applying to this program does not affect a homeowner’s credit score. Funds are provided as a no-interest (0%) 10-year forgivable loan. There are no monthly payments and the loan is forgiven if the homeowner maintains title and occupancy for a 10-year period. A professional inspector oversees the process.

This program is sponsored by the Township of Montclair and is funded by collected development fees.

In order to qualify for participation in the program, at least one of the following major systems must be in need of replacement or substantial repair:

• Roof
• Plumbing (including sanitary plumbing and replacement of lead, galvanized steel and brass water service connection pipes)
• Heating
• Electrical
• Load-bearing structural systems
• Foundations
• Weatherization (windows, door, insulation)

Eligible participants must own a residential property and provide a copy of the recorded deed. Property tax payments and mortgages must be up-to-date prior to application. Residents must have homeowners insurance to participate.

The income limits as of 2022 are:

• 1 person household – $60,265
• 2 person household – $68,874
• 3 person household – $77,483
• 4 person household – $86,092
• 5 person household – $92,980
• 6 person household – $99,867
• 7 person household – $106,754
• 8 person household – $113,642

According to the township, additional requirements include:

“The home must have at least one major system in need of repair or replacement. If there are any repairs or renovations currently being undertaken on your home by others or yourself, or done within the last few years that require or required municipal permits, the work must be completed and the permits closed out prior to applying to the program.”

Interested homeowners can learn more at two public workshops, to be held at the Montclair Municipal Building, 205 Claremont Avenue:

• Tuesday, Aug. 23 from 6 to 8 p.m.
• Saturday, Aug. 27 from 10 a.m. to noon

To apply, submit a pre-application from the following link: Home Improvement Program Pre-Application or contact the case manager at bmccann@cgph.net. For more information or if you don’t have internet access, call the program representative at 609-664-2781.

Funding also available for rental properties; landlords should call for terms, officials said.

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