Lowell Home Rehabilitation Program

How it works

The City of Lowell’s Home Rehabilitation Program gives eligible homeowners a deferred, no-interest loan to fix substandard and non-code-compliant conditions that present a health or safety issue. The city says the program is meant to improve living standards and quality of life for low- and moderate-income homeowners who may not be able to afford needed repairs.

What the money covers

Eligible work includes:

• Improvements required to correct unsafe, unhealthy, or unsanitary conditions, including some general property improvements that may include energy efficiency
• Repairs and improvements needed to correct any condition causing the home to be substandard
• Costs of improvements necessary to make the property accessible to physically handicapped homeowners occupying the property

Amounts and matching

The page does not publish a standard loan cap. It says the actual loan amount depends on several factors, including the extent of work, available owner equity, current monthly housing costs, and ability to repay on amortized loans.

How to apply

Homeowners contact the program manager, and projects are handled first-come, first-served except that emergency repairs may sometimes be prioritized. When a project reaches the top of the list, the homeowner gets an application package and the city verifies income, savings, existing mortgage, and a credit report.

Timing and deadlines

The page does not list an application deadline. It says loans are deferred and due when the property is sold, refinanced, transferred, or rented, and can also be called if program conditions are violated.