San José Department of Housing - Programs - Emergency Home Repairs

Program Purpose
To offer technical and financial assistance to achieve decent, safe, and sanitary living conditions for low-income, owner-occupied households.

Eligible Applicants
Owner-occupant whose gross annual income does not exceed the Santa Clara County lower-income level, adjusted for family size. Please refer to the Eligibility Criteria for eligible income levels.

Eligible Properties
Single-family or duplex residential properties located within the City of San José.

Limits
The maximum grant amount available is $15,000. However, the actual grant amount will depend on the actual costs of repairs or improvements needed as determined by Housing Department staff.

Terms

Grants are for the cost of repairs or improvements, not to exceed $15,000.
Property must have been owned by applicant for a minimum of one year prior to application.
The repairs and improvements will be prioritized by the Program Inspector based on the health and safety needs of the property.
Subject property must be the only real property owned by applicant.
Approval of the grant is subject to asset limitations in effect at the time of application.
Applicant may be required to sign a Grant Agreement with the City of San José.
All health and safety issues must be corrected first. Certain exterior improvements to property may also be required by the housing inspector.
As a funding requirement, properties constructed prior to 1978, must be tested for lead-based paint contamination.

Security for the City’s Loan
The grant does not require repayment to the City.

Eligible Repairs
Examples of these repairs are:

Roof replacement
Electrical system repair or replacement
Plumbing repair or replacement
Disabled accessibility
Furnace and water heater replacement
Seismic Retrofit
Bathroom and/or kitchen rehabilitation
Exterior paint and other improvements as determined by Housing staff

Ineligible Repairs
Certain improvements are not basic requirements for a safe and healthy living environment. These items are not eligible for City loans or grants. Examples of such improvements include: pools, spas or hot tubs, outdoor cooking facilities, storage sheds, patio covers, furniture, or draperies.

Application Process
A Housing Rehabilitation Inspector will enter your home and inspect your property to evaluate immediate health and safety related needs. If the Inspector determines that the $15,000 grant is adequate to correct all health and safety related items, the Inspector will provide you with a grant application. If the improvements required exceed the $15,000 grant amount and you choose to have the necessary repairs completed through the program, you will be required to apply for a zero-percent interest deferred loan to cover the costs of the repairs that exceed this amount. A zero interest loan application will be provided to you. As a condition of the City’s grant, all critical health and safety related needs must be addressed.

Contact Information:
City of San José
Department of Housing - Rehabilitation Programs
200 East Santa Clara Street, 12th Floor
San José, CA 95113
Phone 408-975-4440

Michelle.Harrison@sanjoseca.gov
Nichanh.Petersen@sanjoseca.gov

Note: Programs subject to change without notification.