Essex County Home Improvement Program

How it works

Essex County’s Home Improvement Program is funded through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. The page says CDBG provides deferred loans to low- and moderate-income homeowners who occupy a 1- to 3-family home. The county materials also describe the assistance as a deferred loan secured by a lien, meaning repayment is required only in certain situations rather than as a standard monthly mortgage-like payment.

What the money covers

The page gives examples of eligible improvements, including:

• heating system work
• roofing
• plumbing
• electrical work
• code violation abatement

The county materials say the program is for necessary home improvements. The page does not provide a more detailed item-by-item list beyond these examples.

Amounts and terms

The county CAPER and brochure indicate a maximum loan of $32,000 per home. The brochure says the loan is secured by a lien that must be repaid only if the homeowner sells or transfers the property within 10 years.

Geographic scope

The page says homeowners in these municipalities may be eligible:

• Belleville
• Caldwell
• Cedar Grove
• Essex Fells
• Fairfield
• Glen Ridge
• Livingston
• Maplewood
• Millburn
• Montclair
• North Caldwell
• Nutley
• Orange
• Roseland
• South Orange
• Verona
• West Caldwell
• West Orange

It also says homeowners in Bloomfield, East Orange, Irvington, and Newark should contact their municipal office for information about their own Home Improvement Program. The page notes those municipalities apply directly to the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

How to apply

The page says to contact the Essex County Division of Housing and Community Development for information and applications. A county brochure lists the Verona office and a loan advisor contact, but the page itself does not include a full application checklist.

Timing and deadlines

The page was modified on 2022-06-14 and does not state a current closing date, deadline, or waitlist status.