City of Clarksville makes emergency home repair grant available to low-income families
Grant can cover up to $20 in home improvements
CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – The Department of Clarksville Neighborhood & Community Services (CNCS) launched a new program to assist low-income families with emergency home repairs to help preserve home ownership.
Beginning April 26, Clarksville homeowners who meet the criteria will have the opportunity to apply for assistance through the Emergency Homeowner Rehabilitation Program (EHRP) to cover expenses that affect the immediate habitability of their residence. Eligible expenses include, but are not limited to, lack of running water, roof replacements, electrical, plumbing, or heating/air conditioning renovations to owner-occupied units. To comply with state or local code.
This first-of-its-kind initiative for the city is a subset of the US Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. According to Clarissa Tucker, Project Director and Program Leader for CNCS, the City of Clarksville is an Entitled Community and receives CDBG funds directly from HUD.
As a recipient of the program, CNCS received guidance and was given the flexibility by HUD to design an entirely new 'repair and rehabilitation program' to meet the needs of low-income residents in Clarksville. Thus creating the Emergency Homeowner Rehabilitation Program specific to the city of Clarksville.
Who can apply for EHRP?
To be eligible for EHRP, residents must live within the Clarksville city limits. All property taxes and mortgage payments must be current, and the owner must be low-income and occupy the property as their primary residence. Please see the income table below, which sets forth the household income limits as determined by HUD. In addition, the value of the home after rehabilitation must not exceed 95% of the median purchase for the area.
| Household size per person | income limit |
| 1 | $35,500 |
| 2 | $40,600 |
| 3 | $45,650 |
| 4 | $50,700 |
| 5 | $54,800 |
| 6 | $58,850 |
| 7 | $62,900 |
| 8 | $66,950 |
Family income perimeters, as of June 1, 2021, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
How is EHRP different from other HUD programs?
Grantees, like CNCS, are currently able to use CDBG for loans, loan guarantees, interest subsidies, limited grants, or other forms of assistance. For homeowners to make repairs or rehab improvements.
EHRP is a forgivable grant after 5 years (money not paid back by the owner); provided that the owner resides in the property for more than five years after receiving the grant.
CNCS also offers low-interest loans under the Substantial Rehabilitation Program; please contact CNCS for more details.
Is there a dollar limit to the amount of home repairs, rehabilitation, or reconstruction, and what types of improvements can be made?
Emergency home repairs cannot exceed $20,000. Eligible improvements include, but are not limited to:
- Accessibility improvements
- Electrical repairs
- Environmental fixes
- Installation of new steps
- Installation of smoke detectors
- New gutters and downspouts
- Repair or replacement of leaky roofs
- Replacement of water heaters
- Replacement of windows or doors.
- Weatherstrips
When can we apply for EHRP?
Starting today, applicants seeking emergency repair assistance can submit applications by visiting the CNCS website at
www.cityofclarksville.com/248/Housing-Rehabilitation-Program or the CNCS office directly at 1 Public Square, Suite 201, Clarksville, TN 37040.
CNCS is currently evaluating the list of potential contractors and subcontractors who have applied to join CNCS in a public-private partnership to support EHRP through a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) application. Any contractor or subcontractor interested in submitting the RFQ can contact our purchasing department at (931) 553-2477. Interested parties may obtain a copy of the RFQ form through the City Purchasing website at www.cityofclarksville.com/205/Purchasing.
For more information about EHRP, visit the CNCS website or contact Clarissa Tucker by email at clarissa.tucker@cityofclarksville.com or by calling (931) 648-6133.
The mission of Clarksville Neighborhood & Community Services is to revitalize neighborhoods, preserve or create affordable housing opportunities, and advocate for the underserved.
MEDIA CONTACT
linda gerron
Communications director
City of Clarksville
931.648.6128 (office)
linda.gerron@cityofclarksville.com
