City Launches Healthy Homes Program, $5 Million Housing Rehabilitation Program in Memorial Square and Six Corners Neighborhoods

WASHINGTON (May 23, 2017) – (RealEstateRama) — The City of Springfield is launching the Healthy Homes Program (HHP), which will make federal housing rehabilitation funds available to owners of 1-4 unit residential properties in the Memorial Square and Six Corners neighborhoods. HHP provides funds for home rehabilitation, abatement of lead, removal of asthma triggers, and improvement of energy efficiency. It is an integrated, whole-house approach that produces sustainable, green, healthy and safe homes.

The City was awarded the funding for HHP in the National Disaster Resilience Competition (NDRC), a funding competition available to communities that had Presidentially-declared disasters in 2011-2013. Springfield had five weather-related disasters during that time frame, including the 2011 tornado.

HHP is a response to the problem of housing abandonment that took place after the tornado. The City’s goal is to improve the quality of owner-occupied and rental housing stock in targeted and concentrated areas of the City that are vulnerable to abandonment, so that, in a future disaster, owners would be more likely to repair their homes than abandon them. The program is designed to also improve resident health by addressing toxins (such as lead paint), removing asthma triggers, and eliminating trip and fall hazards.

Homeowners who are eligible may apply for a 0% forgivable loan to complete repairs and healthy homes interventions. Eligible rental property owners may apply for a 0% forgivable loan up to 90% of the total project cost. Applications are available at the Springfield Office of Housing, 1600 E. Columbus Ave. or online at https://www.springfield-ma.gov/housing.

The initial application period is May 15, 2017 through July 31, 2017.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development awarded the City of Springfield $17 million in CDBG-NDR funds as a result of the National Disaster Resilience Competition. The City is using the funds to carry-out projects in the areas of 1) Clean and Redundant Energy 2) Community Engagement 3) Healthy Homes and 4) Business and Job Opportunities.

Questions may be directed to Geraldine McCafferty in City of Springfield, Office of Housing at (413) 787-6500 or gmccafferty (at) springfieldcityhall (dot) com.