|
Targeted Housing Preservation Program (THPP)
General Description
The purpose of the Philadelphia Targeted Housing Preservation Program (THPP) is to augment investments made in affordable housing production by the City of Philadelphia. This program supports property repairs for homeowners located in proximity to existing or newer housing developments or in targeted neighborhoods. Repairs can include facade and systems repairs. For example, if a CDC is developing a larger-scale homeownership or rental development, they could also submit an application to the THPP to fund the repair of existing owner-occupied homes on the adjacent blocks. The Targeted Housing Preservation Program will be carried out by community-based organizations that are referred to herein as Sponsors. Applications can be submitted on a rolling basis.
Eligibility
Repairs
Targeted Housing Preservation funds may be used to support both basic systems repairs and exterior repairs, such as windows, doors, facades and streetscape improvements. After completion the property must meet basic health and safety standards for continued occupancy. Additional repairs can be made that go beyond eligible repairs, such as internal cosmetic repairs, or that go beyond the maximum grant amount, if they are paid for by additional financing or homeowner contributions. Applications that use multiple funding sources will need to document the specific repairs being paid for each funding source.
Properties. Targeting of Funds
In order to maximize the impact of affordable housing investments, targeting of a home repair program is key. Funds will be made available to preserve homes adjacent to existing or new public and/or private investments or to provide concentrated home repairs in a specifically targeted geographic area. A significant level of resident participation is required in the targeted area. Blocks to be preserved may have a vacancy rate no higher than ten percent (10%). Properties must be single family owner occupied.
Homeowners
Participants in the program must have clear title to the property and be current in their real estate taxes and mortgage payments (or have an approved payment agreement). Household income may not exceed 115% of area median income Homeowners must contribute a minimum of $500 towards the eligible repairs. Sweat equity may not be used to satisfy this requirement.
Sponsors
Project sponsors must be community development corporations and/or other non-profit entities. Sponsors must be able to make application to the program, market the program in their neighborhoods, identify contractors and solicit bids, prepare the scope of work and cost estimates, and perform basic routine project management. Sponsors must be able to review and submit invoices for projects, receive payment from PHDC, and issue disbursement checks to contractors.
Contractors
All contractors must have reasonable experience in the trade for which they will perform. All contractors must:
- be licensed in the City of Philadelphia as a contractor
- not be indebted to the City of Philadelphia for taxes or fines, or they must be in a repayment agreement.
- meet the insurance standards of the City of Philadelphia
PHDC will verify the tax indebtedness and a copy of the contractor’s license and insurance certificate must be submitted with the application. It is the sponsor’s responsibility to confirm the contractor’s experience.
Available Funding
The maximum grant for this program is $20,000. The grant will be disbursed at the end of the project, unless it is requested by the sponsor to issue progress payments. The project sponsors will receive a fee of $5,000/unit for each completed case.
Application Process
The Targeted Housing Preservation Program will use a “two phased” application process; the first phase will include a review and approval of the “targeted area” and potential address, the second phase will be the review of the specific properties and homeowners proposed to participate in the program. Please click on the link below to download the complete application package and SAVE it to your computer (the folder is large and may take a while to download). Then start by reading the Program Manual.
THPP Application Package (Click Here)
Interested in making an application or need more information?
Contact Rich Franck at 215-448-3072 or send an email to richard.franck@phila.gov (email is preferred).
|
