By Lea Kahn, Staff Writer
Low- and moderate-income households might be in line to receive grants to repair their homes under Lawrence Township’s recently enacted home improvement program, according to township officials.
Owner-occupied single-family houses and two-family homes, where the owner occupies one of the units, are eligible for up to $20,000 to make repairs provided they meet income requirements, said Municipal Manager Richard Krawczun.
The deadline to apply for the Home Improvement Program is Aug. 31.
Eligible repairs range from installing new roofs, windows, siding, insulation, heating and air conditioning systems, electrical and plumbing work, to lead paint abatement. Cosmetic improvements, such as additions or conversions of basements or attics into living space, are not eligible.
Related repair work may include interior trim work, interior or exterior stair repairs, porch repairs, or gutters and downspouts. It also may include interior or exterior doors and hardware, wall surface repair and painting.
The goal of the program is to bring substandard housing up to code. The code violations will be determined after the property has been inspected by a housing inspector. Only those houses that have been inspected are eligible for the program.
”The program will produce stability,” said Mr. Krawczun. “It will contribute to stability in the housing stock, which has a long-term benefit to the people who occupy the homes and who live in the neighborhood.”
The $350,000 pot of money that will fund the home improvement program comes from developer contributions not from the municipal budget, said Mayor Jim Kownacki. The township assesses a fee on developers who do not include affordable units in their housing developments, or who build non-residential projects. The fees are placed in the township’s affordable housing fund.
”The program is structured as a forgivable loan,” said Mayor Kownacki. “There are no monthly payments and there is no interest. For single-family homes, if the owner remains in the house for 10 years, the loan will be (completely) forgiven.”
The owner-occupant of a two-family house must stay in the house for 20 years. If the owner sells the property before the 10- or 20-year time period expires, the money must be repaid on a pro-rated basis.
If an owner-occupied single-family house is sold within the first five years after the work was completed, the full amount must be repaid, for example. After 6 years, it is 80 percent. And after 8 years, it is 50 percent.
To be eligible for the program, a one-person household must have an annual income of less than $51,179. A two-person household may earn up to $58,490 to be eligible, and a maximum of $73,113 for a four-person household. A six-person household may earn up to $84,811.
Interested applicants should call Maureen Fullaway at Affordable Housing Administrators at 732-892-4292 to be placed on the waiting list or for more information. The deadline is Aug. 31.

