The program aims to stabilize and preserve the quality and availability of affordable rental housing throughout the Town of Windsor. It also seeks to address deferred maintenance and distressed rental properties.
Donor Name: Town of Windsor
State: Connecticut
Town: Windsor
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: Ongoing
Size of the Grant: up to $10,000
Details:
The program offers small grants to address various building and life safety code repairs in affordable rental properties that have two to four units. This assistance will match the applicant dollars in the form of a matching rebate up to $10,000 per unit to improve rental units. For applicant matching funds, Windsor Federal (WF) has made available a new Home Improvement Loan Program for Investment Properties (HILP). The number of units that can be assisted is dependent on the availability of program funds.
Amount of Matching Grant
The amount of the grant will depend on the number of units in the property and the cost of repairs in accordance with the scope of work approved by the Town Inspector. The maximum grant dollars for the approved scope of work are: $20,000, $30,000 and $40,000, for 2, 3, and 4-unit properties respectively. The funds awarded under this program require a 75% applicant match (If the town approves $10,000 in grant funds, the property owner is required to provide $7,500). The approved grant amount is subject to proof of available matching funds.
Eligibility to Apply
Eligible Properties
- Be a multi-family (2 to 4 units), residential structure;
- Be located within the Town of Windsor;
- Applicant must have property ownership.
- Yet to be inhabited units are eligible to apply. A later requirement to sign affidavit committing to rent to tenants whose household income does not exceed 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI) and to have a Fair Market Rent (FMR) once the unit is filled will be required.
Eligible Applicants
- Fifty percent (50%) of units occupied by low to moderate income (LMI) households; Owner Occupant/Tenant Information Form is required to be filled out by eligible tenants and, if applicable, by owner occupant.
- Fifty percent (50%) of units at, or below, FMR rates; Copies of current lease agreements for eligible units are required.
- An owner-occupied two unit property is eligible to apply.
- Current on property tax payments.
- Have property insurance.
- Be able to commit to match 75% of the town’s grant with their own funds or through the Windsor Federal Home Improvement Loan Program for Investment Properties (HILP).
- Be able to demonstrate capacity to pay for the full project up front (either through a WF loan or bank statements).
Eligible Repairs
- Replacement windows
- Replacement doors
- Siding repair and/or replacement
- System upgrades (i.e. plumbing, electrical and HVAC)
- Roof repair and/or replacement
- Water heater replacement
- Accessibility features for entering and existing the home (i.e. wheelchair ramps, stair rails)
- Basement waterproofing.
- Required work: Smoke and CO2 detectors, life and safety related electrical upgrades and dryer vent replacements.
Eligible Contractors
- Licensed and insured
Program Requirements
- Rental Unit Affordability and Occupancy – Matching grant awardees must pledge to maintain rent levels for 50% of all units at or below FMR and to maintain 50% of units occupied by low to moderate income (LMI) households for three years after signing an agreement with the town.
- Scope of Work – Applicant must agree to mandatory health and safety upgrades and adhere to scope of work as approved by Town Inspector.
- Construction Contract – The contract amount will include the contractor’s contingency costs. The final draft of the construction contract should be reviewed and approved by the town before it is signed. After the contract is signed, the town should review it once again to ensure consistency with the previously approved draft. Any inconsistencies might compromise the town’s commitment. Any work started prior to the signed contract approval will be the applicant’s responsibility.
- Construction Timeline – Applicants who receive the grant are responsible for completing their proposed upgrade project within six months of contract signing.
- Building Permit – If permitted work is required, as per the approved scope of work, a mbuilding inspection pass will be needed before payment can be made. If a renovation requiring a permit does not have one, payment will not be approved.
- Change Orders – The use of change orders is limited to unexpected work that arises during construction. All change orders will need to be approved by the Town Inspector prior to work commencement. The property owner will be responsible to cover any costs associated with a change order unless the committed grant amount is less than $10,000 per unit. Should that be the case, the town could increase the grant to a maximum of $10,000 per unit.
- Fair Housing Marketing – When rental units in the property to be rehabilitated become vacant, property owners are to exercise affirmative fair housing marketing and not discriminate in housing on the grounds of race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, age, lawful source of income, familial status, learning disability, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression.
- Tenant Displacement – No tenants will be displaced as a direct result of rehabilitation work done under this program.
For more information, visit Town of Windsor.
