Homeowner Assistance

The City of Kenosha Rehabilitation Loan Program provides assistance for owner-occupied single family homes located within the City of Kenosha to rehabilitate their home through a deferred mortgage loan. Loans are available up to the available home equity, with a maximum amount of $45,000.

Eligible Property Improvements *:

• Lead paint abatement
• Electrical
• Plumbing
• Heating
• Roofing, gutters, soffit and fascia repairs/replacement
• Foundation
• Windows, exterior doors, insulation
• Interior walls and ceiling (lead hazards only)
• Exterior surfaces (siding, stucco)
• ADA modifications

Remodeling work and additions will not be permitted through the program.

* Federal and City regulations require that all items not meeting code and all lead paint hazards to be corrected through the loan program.

Homeowners have an opportunity to list home improvements requested to be funded through the program. In order to be eligible for the program, both an interior and exterior inspection of the home, detached structures and premises will be required to document code violations. Code violations and lead paint hazards are required to be corrected through the program. Not all work may be able to be funded through the program.

Program Requirements:

• Applicant must be U.S. citizen or have qualified alien status
• Non-refundable application fee of $25 for single applicants, $40 for two applicants
• Applicant must reside at the property for a minimum of 90 days
• Applicant must meet income requirements
• Minimum 600 credit score
• Applicant must have current homeowners insurance
• No delinquent property taxes or mortgage payments

More information is provided in the Housing Rehabilitation Loan Program flier. Interested applicants should contact HOME Program staff to discuss eligibility at 262.653.4030

The City of Kenosha has partnered with State Bank of the Lakes, located at 8700 75th Street to assist homeowners complete exterior and interior code-related repairs. In order to be eligible for the TID Loan Program, you must be an owner-occupant of a residential home located within the TID Loan Lending Area boundaries (see TID Loan Area map). Eligible items include code violations listed in an order to repair from the City Inspection Department.

There are no income or equity requirements, however, applicants who indicate any probability of foreclosure may be determined ineligible. The maximum loan amount is $20,000.00 and interest rates vary from 1.5% to 3.5% based on annual household income.

Applicants below 120% of the Kenosha County Median Income are eligible for a 20 year loan with payments beginning following closing. Applicants above 120% are eligible for a 15 year loan with payments beginning following closing. Additional fees will be disclosed by the bank.

Eligible work items may include:

• Roof repair or replacement
• Porch repair or reconstruction, including ramps for ADA accessibility
• Siding repair or installation of new siding
• Exterior painting
• Window and door repair or replacement
• Gutter and downspout repair or replacement
• Chimney repair or replacement (including flue liner replacement)
• Foundation repair
• Removal and replacement of deteriorated hazardous concrete, excluding garage slab replacement
• Fence repair
• Garage repair or demolition
• Drainage improvements around house and garage
• Code repairs and upgrades for plumbing, heating or electrical systems
• Plumbing fixture repair or replacement
• Tree and brush trimming and removal
• Interior repairs or upgrades to meet City of Kenosha Property Maintenance Code Standards regarding health and safety issues, after all exterior code-related issues completed
• Upgrades to meet ADA accessibility, provided all exterior items completed

Applicants may contact City Development staff at 262.653.4030 to determine eligibility.

Additional information is available in the Owner-Occupied Residential Grant & Loan Programs flier.

Homeowners outside the City of Kenosha may be eligible for programs through Kenosha County. Kenosha County Programs and other programs, such as grants for mobile home owners and weatherization programs can be found under Other Assistance.

The City of Kenosha has partnered with State Bank of the Lakes, located at 8700 75th Street to assist homeowners complete exterior and interior code-related repairs and general repairs. In order to be eligible for the H.E.L.P. Loan Program, you must be an owner-occupant of a single-family residential home located within the City of Kenosha.

Loan applications are first come, first serve and are prioritized based on the following:

• Emergency-type repairs affecting health and safety of household or integrity of home
• Code-complying repairs addressing current or potential violations of City of Kenosha Property Maintenance Code

There are no income requirements (except ability to repay loan), or equity requirements. However, applicants who indicate any probability of foreclosure may be determined ineligible. The maximum loan amount is $10,000.00, for up to 10 years. Payments begin after closing with a 3.5% interest rate. Additional fees will be disclosed by the bank.

City of Kenosha employees, elected officials of the City of Kenosha, and State Bank of the Lakes employees are not eligible for the H.E.L.P. Loan Program.

Applicants may contact City Development staff at 262.653.4030 to determine eligibility.

Additional information is available in the Owner-Occupied Residential Grant & Loan Programs flier.

Homeowners outside the City of Kenosha may be eligible for programs through Kenosha County. Kenosha County Programs and other programs, such as grants for mobile home owners and weatherization programs can be found under Other Assistance.

OTHER HOMEOWNER ASSISTANCE

Other area programs may be available for both City and County homeowners.

All homeowners in Kenosha County, including City of Kenosha

Weatherization Assistance Program

The Weatherization Assistance Program provides services to low and moderate income residents in the Racine & Kenosha County area. These services consist of attic and sidewall insulation, crawlspace and foundation insulation, pipe wrap, heating system repair or replacement, refrigerator upgrade with Energy Star products and air sealing to mention a few. Services are provided continuously during all twelve months of the year.

Applicants must first apply and be approved for Energy Assistance, Kenosha County residents can apply at the UMOS (262-657-2160) in Kenosha. More information available at: http://www.rkcaa.org/housing/Weatherization/

Kenosha County Lead Hazard Reduction Demonstration Grant Program

The Kenosha County Health Department provides lead abatement grants for owner and renter-occupied housing units that have been built before 1978, with a primary focus of 1940 and earlier. Eligible homes must be structurally sound (foundation, roof, chimney, etc. have no structural defects). Any structural issues must be corrected prior to grant eligibility.

Households must be income-eligible in order to qualify for the program. Children under age 6 are also required to have a blood test to test for the presence of lead.

Owners are required to contribute 25% of the abatement costs. Applicants must also have no outstanding taxes or outstanding child support. Eligible projects will have a 2-year lien placed on the title for the amount of the assistance.

Applicants can contact the Kenosha County Health Department at or by calling (262) 605-67698. The office is located at: 600 Sheridan Road, Suite 600, Kenosha, WI 53143. More information available at: http://legacyoflead.com/

Helping Hands Grants (mobile homes or manufactured homes only)

The Tomorrow's Home Foundation assists owners of mobile homes or manufactured homes with emergency assistance grants for critical repairs that allow individuals and families to stay in their manufactured or mobile home. Critical home repairs are those that are essential to remain in the home. The program does not include those items deemed to be cosmetic in nature.

Models must be 1976 or newer and owners must meet a low-income requirement. Grants up to $2500 are available, with a minimum requirement of 10% of costs from the owner.

Applicants can contact Laurie Mercurio at . More information available at: http://www.tomorrowshomefoundation.org/

Water Heater Replacement Program (mobile homes or manufactured homes only)

The Tomorrow's Home Foundation assists low-income elderly or disabled owners of mobile homes or manufactured homes with replacement of their water heater. Elderly is defined as persons age 60 or older. Models must be 1976 or newer and owners must meet a low-income requirement.

Applicants can contact Laurie Mercurio at . More information available at: http://www.tomorrowshomefoundation.org/

Foreclosure Prevention Assistance

Housing Resources Inc. can assist homeowners to avoid foreclosure. Certified counselors will work with owners to provide the tools needed to work with the applicant's lender or mortgage company. Counselors can provide owners with face-to-face or over the telephone counseling. The primary purpose is to avoid foreclosure.

Applicants can contact the Racine office at 262.636.8271.

More information available at: http://hri-wi.org/home-owners/

All homeowners in Kenosha County, excluding City of Kenosha homeowners
Homeowners in Kenosha County and owners of rental units, excluding the City of Kenosha, may be eligible to apply for the County Housing Rehabilitation Loan Program through the Kenosha County Housing Authority.

Owner-occupied homes are eligible for a 0% interest, deferred payment loan to make home improvements. Homeowner applicants are required to be low or moderate-income.

Owners of renter-occupied units are eligible for a 0% installment loan to make repairs to renter-occupied units. Owners of renter-occupied units are required to rent to low and moderate-income persons.

Mobile homes located on leased land (mobile home parks) are not eligible for either program.

Applicants can contact Chris Parisey at 262-857-1843. More information available at: http://www.co.kenosha.wi.us/index.aspx?NID=792