Hickory – The City of Hickory offers a number of housing rehabilitation programs that aim to improve the quality of the local housing stock and make improvements that prevent the displacement of low to moderate income homeowners. The following programs are only available to homeowners that live inside the Hickory city limits.
The Housing Rehabilitation Loan Program provides loans of up to $20,000 to homeowners whose household income does not exceed 80 percent of the area median income. In 2018, this is $44,000 for a family of four. The loan amount cannot exceed the value of the house less any additional outstanding liens on the property. The loans have a 3 percent interest rate. The loan term is one year for each $1,000 borrowed, up to a maximum of 15 years. Funds can be used to bring housing units up to the City’s minimum housing code and for accessibility improvements necessary for disabled residents. Examples of eligible repairs include heat system replacement, plumbing repairs, repairs of electrical wiring, and roof repairs.
The Housing Rehabilitation Deferred Loan Program provides loans of up to $15,000 to homeowners whose household income does not exceed 50 percent of the area median income. In 2018, this is $27,500 for a family of four. These funds can be used for similar repairs as the Housing Rehabilitation Loan Program discussed previously. However, no monthly payments are required on the loan, as long as the house is maintained as the principal residence of the borrower. In addition, half of the loan balance is forgiven if the borrower maintains the home as a primary residence for at least five years.
The Urgent Repair Program provides forgivable loans to homeowners of up to $8,000 to households with special needs whose income does not exceed 50 percent of the statewide median income. In 2018, this is $31,650 for a family of four.These funds may be used for urgent repairs or accessibility improvements that are required to avert the displacement of the homeowner.
For more info. about Hickory’s Housing Rehabilitation Programs, please contact the Community Development Department at (828) 323-7414.
