By Lea Kahn, Staff Writer
Lawrence Township homeowners whose house needs new windows, new siding or a new heating system or a new roof may be able to tap into a special fund to pay for those repairs — if they meet certain income requirements.
Aimed at low- and moderate-income households, the Lawrence Township Home Improvement Program will lend up to $25,000 for such repairs and improvements, said Municipal Manager Richard Krawczun.
The list of eligible repairs includes roofing, new windows, new siding, new heating systems, new insulation, plumbing repairs and any other code violations.
The Lawrence Township Home Improvement Program is funded through the township’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund, not the municipal budget, Mr. Krawczun said. The money comes from fees charged by the township to developers of commercial and industrial projects, and housing developments that do not include units for low- and moderate-income households.
The home improvement program works as a forgivable loan, with no monthly payments or interest, provided the applicant continues to live in the house. Money is available for owner-occupied single-family houses, and for two-family houses in which the owner lives in one of the two units.
The loan is forgiven after 10 years for single-family houses, and after 20 years for two-family homes. If the homeowner sells the house before that time has elapsed, the loan is pro-rated and must be repaid.
There are income requirements to participate in the program, according to township officials. A one-person household cannot have annual income that exceeds $51,864. For a four-person household, the maximum income is $74,091. And for an eight-person household, it is $97,801.
Meanwhile, the Lawrence Township Home Improvement Program has completed seven projects for low- and moderate-income households since it was launched last fall. Two more home improvement projects are under way, and there are applications pending for additional projects.
Of the $400,000 in the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, more than $160,000 has been committed and about $125,000 has been spent. The projects completed thus far have ranged from $15,000 to $25,000, depending on the scope of the work.
"As long as the money is available, there is no deadline to apply. It’s until the money (in the Affordable Housing Trust Fund) has been spent," said Mr. Krawczun, the municipal manager. The program is being overseen by a consultant hired by the township.
To apply or for more information,, contact Affordable Housing Administrators at 732-892-4292.

