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Senior committee hears O'Fallon update on HUD-funded home-repair grants and forgivable loans
Summary
Melissa Hoffman, O'Fallon's public assistance coordinator, briefed the Senior Resident Advisory Committee on CDBG-funded home repair programs: exterior grants up to $10,000, interior five-year forgivable loans up to $7,500, and mobile-home grants up to $3,000, with newly updated HUD income limits.
Melissa Hoffman, the City of O'Fallon public assistance coordinator, told the Senior Resident Advisory Committee on April 14 that the city uses federal CDBG dollars administered through HUD to fund three home-repair programs for low- and moderate-income residents.
Hoffman said the exterior home-repair program is a one-time grant of up to $10,000 for work such as roofs, siding, soffit, fascia, trim, gutters, hazardous tree removal, fencing and remedying exterior code violations. The interior program is offered as a five-year forgivable loan up to $7,500; homeowners must remain in the residence for five years to have the loan forgiven, and repayment is required if the property is sold or ownership transfers before that period. The mobile-home repair program is a one-time grant up to $3,000 to cover items such as skirting, HVAC, electrical and plumbing.
Hoffman gave updated HUD income limits that the city will publish on its website: a one-person household is now $62,400; two people $71,300; three people $80,200; and four people $89,100. She said eligibility requires that applicants be fee-simple owners and occupant (name on deed or title), have lived in the dwelling at least one year before applying, be a first-time participant in the program, be current on mortgage payments and real estate taxes, and meet HUD income limits for household size.
Hoffman emphasized HVAC repairs as a seasonal priority, noting the program typically aids about 10 households per year through the exterior grant and about five mobile-home households through the mobile-home grant. She outlined eligible interior repairs (HVAC, water heaters, electrical, plumbing, insulation and windows) and said applications are available on the city's website or by appointment for residents without internet access; application availability depends on federal funding cycles.
Addressing questions about exceptional circumstances, Hoffman said that if a homeowner dies and the property passes to a family member who notifies the office, staff can seek HUD approval to forgive the loan; otherwise, the city would recapture funds on sale. She closed by encouraging residents who need repairs, particularly HVAC work, to contact the Grants and Assistance Department while funds remain available.
The committee thanked Hoffman and had no further questions. No formal action was taken on the program at the meeting.
