Homeowner Rehabilitation Program

How it works

Marion County’s Homeowner Rehabilitation Program is a county-run housing assistance program for owner-occupied homes. The county says the program is designed to help homeowners with necessary repairs and to address health, safety, and code issues in the home. Assistance is provided as a zero-interest, deferred-payment loan that is forgivable after 15 years.

What the money covers

The county says the program can assist with repairs such as:

• Roof replacements
• Air conditioning and heating systems (HVAC)
• Wells
• Septic systems
• Mobility ramps / handicap accessibility
• Electrical panel upgrades

The county also says the program does not cover cosmetic changes or repairs.

How the county handles the work

Marion County states that its staff manages the process, including bid creation, advertising to pre-qualified contractors, bid award, contract documents, project management, inspections, final acceptance, closeout documents, warranty registrations, and payments. The homeowner coordinates schedules with the selected contractor and provides access to the work areas.

Timing and status

The county’s housing page says applications for this program are currently on hold. The apply-here page also says submissions are processed through ZoomGrants and that submitting an application does not guarantee approval or funding.

Repayment terms

The assistance is a zero-interest, deferred-payment loan. There are no monthly loan payments as long as the homeowner remains in the home as a primary residence. After 15 years, the loan is completely forgiven. The county also says assistance may have to be repaid, in whole or in part, if the homeowner sells before the mortgage lien term ends.