Worcester County Housing Rehabilitation Program

How it works

Worcester County’s Housing Rehabilitation Program is run by the Department of Development, Review and Permitting. The county says the program provides grant and loan funding to owner-occupied properties for general rehabilitation and lead abatement services. The same Special Loans Rehabilitation Application is used for all grant and loan programs and can be downloaded from the county site.

What the money covers

The county describes eligible work as rehabilitation needed to bring a home into conformance with the County’s Minimum Livability Code. Examples named on the page include:

• Improvements to the existing physical structure, including painting and resurfacing of structures or surface elements
• Roof, wall, floor, and ceiling repairs
• Replacement of appliances such as a range, water heater, and water pump
• Replacement of fixtures such as heating, electrical, and plumbing
• Energy conservation and weatherization improvements
• Alterations needed to make the dwelling accessible for handicapped persons
• Lead abatement services

The page also says grant funds are supplemented through the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) Special Loans Program, and that Worcester County partners with Shore Up! Inc. to cover the cost of weatherization and other energy-saving measures. Referrals are also made to Chesapeake Housing Mission for construction of handicap accessible ramps when needed.

Amounts and matching

The page does not publish a single flat award amount. Instead, it provides these terms:

• Homes may only be assisted once with grant funding
• Grant terms are 5 to 15 years
• Grants are secured with a recorded property lien
• No repayment is due unless the property is sold or refinanced during the grant period
• For lead abatement, there is no minimum grant term and no repayment is required if the house is sold or refinanced
• If family income is over 80% of median for lead abatement, a 10% match is required
• Loans carry interest rates between 0% and 7%
• Loan payments are scaled to the family’s ability to repay, and loans may be completely deferred
• Full loan balance is due when the property is sold, and may also be due if the property is otherwise transferred or refinanced

The county also says it receives $300,000 every two years through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program and uses those funds to support rehabilitation activities for approximately 12 to 15 low- to moderate-income homeowners in substandard housing units.

How to apply

Homeowners apply with the Special Loans Rehabilitation Application. The county says work is determined through an inspection by the Program Inspector, who prepares a work write-up used to solicit bids. Homeowners are encouraged to participate in that process.

Timing and deadlines

The page does not list an application deadline or closing date. It indicates the program is active now and provides direct contact information for the program administrator: Davida Washington, Program Administrator, 410-632-1200 ext. 1171, dwashington@co.worcester.md.us.