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Habitat for Humanity outlines critical home repair, septic/water and down‑payment assistance programs
Summary
Habitat staff described a Critical Home Repair program offering grants and 0% loans for roofs, plumbing, mold remediation and accessibility work and highlighted a Maryland 'plumbing poverty' fund plus layered down‑payment assistance (up to $20,000+) through the Federal Home Loan Bank and Habitat to help low‑income, owner‑occupied households.
Representatives from Habitat for Humanity described programs the nonprofit is offering to Crisfield residents to address urgent home repairs and to expand homeownership opportunities.
"We're here to present or explain to you our critical home repair program," Stephanie Feliciano said, listing covered work that includes roof repair for active leaks, window and weatherization work, plumbing and septic replacements, mold and pest remediation, accessibility modifications and HVAC or hot‑water replacement.
Feliciano and Sherry Shewing (director of family services at CapTel) explained two program tracks: a critical‑repair program that generally serves households at 80% or below area median income (AMI) and a more targeted plumbing‑poverty stream funded by the Maryland Affordable Housing Trust that serves households at 50% AMI or below for urgent septic, well, and water‑connection repairs. Feliciano said the plumbing funding can cover renovations that restore hot and cold running water and replace failed septic systems or connect homes to public water and sewer where available.
The presenters also described layered down‑payment assistance administered through the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta: eligible community workers (EMTs, educators, nurses) can receive up to $20,000, with additional Habitat funds potentially raising total assistance for some households. Staff emphasized applicants must be owner‑occupants, meet income thresholds, and in many cases be first‑time buyers.
Council members asked about flood‑insurance requirements and lead‑paint restrictions; Habitat staff said flood‑insurance mandates depend on the funding source (USDA, HUD, CDBG, or county cannabis tax CRRF funds) and that some local CRRF programs can be structured with lower barriers. Habitat said it works with licensed contractors who can address lead hazards when needed and that program administrators will assist applicants through the process.
Staff offered to hold a library workshop to walk residents through applications and urged early engagement because down‑payment funds move quickly: one presenter said an open funding round that began in late February could be exhausted by the end of June.
