Need Home Repairs In Montclair? This Program Might Help

MONTCLAIR, NJ — Low and moderate-income Montclair homeowners may qualify for up to $24,000 in repairs through a municipal program, officials recently announced.

Last week, town officials issued a reminder for local homeowners about the Montclair Home Improvement Program. Learn more here.

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 Montclair Home Improvement 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 program.”

Montclair town officials said 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 can be used only for work and repairs required to make the house code-standard, conserve energy and remove health and/or safety hazards. 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
• Weatherization (windows, door, insulation)

Eligibility requirements include:

• You must own a residential property and provide a copy of the recorded deed
• The property taxes and, if applicable, mortgage must be paid up to date prior to application
• You must have homeowners insurance

The household combined annual gross income must be below the maximum income amount listed for your household size. The income limits, which are updated annually, are as follows for 2022:

• Household size of 1 - $60,265
• Household size of 2 - $68,874
• Household size of 3 - $77,483
• Household size of 4 - $86,092
• Household size of 5 - $92,980
• Household size of 6 - $99,867
• Household size of 7 - $106,754
• Household size of 8 - $113,642

“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,” the municipal website states.

In addition:

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

To apply, submit a pre-application from the following link: Home Improvement Program Pre-Application or contact the case manager at bmccann@cgph.net.

Those who have questions or don’t have internet access can call the program representative at 609-664-2781. Funding is also available for rental properties; landlords should call for terms.

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

Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com

Sign up for Patch email newsletters. Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site. Don’t forget to visit the Patch Montclair Facebook page.