Seniors - Emergency Home Repairs for Seniors

In January of 2009, the New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal allocated a 15 month grant to fund the program for the third time. These funds are used for 18 projects in the City of Saratoga Springs. Repairs cannot cost more than $7,500 and typically cost between $5,000 and $5,500.

"We handle repairs that are, in fact, emergencies. They are the types of problems that can cause a health or safety issue if not corrected immediately," Peter Whitten, Housing Administrator for the Shelters of Saratoga Neighborhood Preservation Program, said.

According to Whitten, the program recently completed repairs on a porch that was actually separating from the home, causing a very dangerous situation for the residents. Another recent project entailed replacing a 25-year-old furnace for an elderly woman living by herself.

There are conditions for program applicants that are required for the emergency assistance. The repair must be an emergency and cannot be a remodeling project. The RESTORE Program makes financial assistance available to address repairs such as furnaces, electrical problems, hot water heaters, water supply issues, problems associated with roofs, handicapped accessibility and other problems that will affect health or safety. 

To qualify for financial assistance through the RESTORE Program, the applicant must reside in the City of Saratoga Springs, be age 60 or older, and they must own and occupy the structure in need of the repair and the property that the structure is located on. Consequently, RESTORE Program grants cannot be used for mobile home repairs.

Applicants must also meet certain income requirements. For a single person living in a home the maximum yearly income is $25,950, for 2 persons the maximum is $29,650, for 3 persons the maximum is $33,350, for 4 persons the maximum is $37,050, for 5 persons the maximum is $40,000 and for 6 persons the maximum is $43,000. 

To ensure that health hazards and safety concerns are handled immediately, the application and execution process is quick. Applications receive a response within 72 hours of notification. From there, contractors have seven days to bid on the project, and after selecting the lowest bidder the homeowner will sign an agreement with the Neighborhood Preservation Program (NPP). The contractor is obligated to complete the repair within 30 days of the NPP approving the repair request.

To prevent homeowners from taking advantage of these funds for resale augmentations, a three year lien is recorded with the Saratoga County Clerk. However, the NPP will make an exception if the homeowner is obligated to leave their home for medical reasons, or if they sell the home to an individual with equal financial status and need.

The NPP typically relies on "community problem finders" for locating individuals in need of an emergency home repair, so please contact Peter Whitten if you know of a person or household that meets these requirements, or if you are interested in applying 

for assistance yourself. (518) 581-5955.