Owner-Occupied Housing Rehabilitation

How it works

Mohave County Community Services (MCCS) administers owner-occupied housing rehabilitation programs for low-income homeowners in all supervisory districts of Mohave County. The county says these programs use funding from sources such as the State of Arizona, HUD CDBG and HOME, Housing Trust Funds, and other federal, state, local, or private funds. The exact eligibility rules, income limits, assistance limits, and lien requirements can vary by funding source.

Applicants are screened, interviewed, and placed on a waiting list based on the date and time the completed application is received. A prequalification interview is used to verify income, assets, ownership, family size, and other required information. After eligibility is confirmed, the county performs an inspection and work write-up, then solicits bids from qualified contractors.

What the money covers

The program is designed to eliminate immediate health and safety problems and improve housing quality standards. Concrete examples on the page include:

• heating and cooling
• plumbing
• septic systems
• electrical repairs
• roofing
• flooring
• water heaters
• disability and accessibility accommodations
• weatherization
• energy efficiency retrofits and energy modernization

The county also says the work must bring the home up to at least Housing Quality Standards, state rehabilitation standards, local code, zoning, ordinances, and the International Residential Code as applicable.

Amounts and matching

The page gives three program levels:

• Emergency/Minor Rehabilitation: grants up to $15,000, depending on funding source
• Moderate Rehabilitation: forgivable loans up to $50,000, depending on funding source
• Mohave County Clean-Up (Moderate): forgivable loans up to $40,000, depending on funding source

The Moderate and Clean-Up programs use a deferred forgivable loan at 0% interest secured by a promissory note and deed of trust. The page states recapture periods of 5, 10, or 15 years depending on award amount. Awards under $15,000 have a 5-year recapture period; awards over $15,000 have a 10-year recapture period; and awards over $40,000 have a 15-year recapture period.

How to apply

Applications can be picked up and dropped off at MCCS offices in Kingman, Bullhead City, or Lake Havasu City. They may also be mailed to people who live 20 miles or more from an MCCS office or who request a reasonable accommodation due to disability. The page also says applications may be downloaded.

Timing and deadlines

The page does not give a fixed annual deadline. It says waiting lists are based on the date and time the completed application is received, continued-interest letters are sent every 6 months to keep the waitlist current, and applicants are notified of acceptance or denial within 10 working days of final eligibility determination. Emergency repairs are intended to be corrected within 14 days of the signed Notice to Proceed, and Moderate Rehabilitation within 90 days unless unpreventable conditions delay completion.