Elgin offering eight kinds of grants for home fix-ups

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Updated: April 2, 2011 5:37PM

ELGIN — The city Tuesday made known details of eight grant programs available for residents.

“It is important in these economic times that we continue to make an investment in our neighborhoods with these programs,” City Manager Sean Stegall said.

Most of the city’s grant programs have established deadlines and stringent criteria that must be met to be eligible for funds. All grant programs are awarded competitively based on a review of all applications received by the deadline.

Here is a list of what is available:

Residential Rehabilitation Grant

This program is designed to help homeowners pay for making exterior code violation repairs, to improve the quality and safety of the existing housing stock, and to foster community pride. Owners may qualify for up to a maximum of $10,000 or $15,000, depending on household income. Applicants must meet the low- to moderate-income guidelines established by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Applications are due Jan. 31 at 5 p.m. For more information, contact Crystal McGuire at 847-931-5939 or at mcguire_c@cityofelgin.org.

Chain Link Fence Removal

The program provides up to $3,000 to property owners to remove existing chain link fencing. It is open to any residential property owners with a chain link fence in the front yard. Applications are due April 1. For more information, contact Lydia Treganza at 847-931-5908 or at Treganza_l@cityofelgin.org.

Substitute Siding Removal Grant

This program offers up to $5,000 to property owners to remove substitute siding from a house and/or garage. It is open to residential property owners with artificial siding made of vinyl or aluminum, or containing asbestos, that covers the original siding material. Applications are due April 1. Contact Lydia Treganza at 847-931-5908 or at Treganza_l@cityofelgin.org.

Exterior Paint Grant Program

The effort provides up to $2,500 to property owners to paint the exterior of their homes. It is open to residential property owners meeting the low- to moderate-income guidelines established by HUD. Applications are due April 1. Contact Lydia Treganza at 847-931-5908 or at Treganza_l@cityofelgin.org.

Multi-Family Conversion Grant

This program provides up to $25,000 to remove one rental unit and $30,000 per unit to remove two or more rental units to return a single-family house to its original use. It is open to residential property owners who own a lawful, non-conforming, multi-unit building. Applications are due Jan. 21. Contact Sarosh Saher at 847-931-5943 or at saher_s@cityofelgin.org.

Historic Architectural Rehabilitation Grant (50/50 and 75/25)

These grants provide up to $20,000 to help property owners restore original architectural features on the exterior of their homes. They are available to residential property owners who own a property within one of the four designated historic districts or that is a local landmark.

The 75/25 program applicants must meet low- to moderate-income limits as established by HUD. Applications are due for the 50/50 program — in which the city matches the dollars a homeowner will spend — on Feb. 4. Applications are due for the 75/25 program on March 4. In that, the city will pay for up to 75 percent of the project’s cost. Contact Jennifer Fritz-Williams at 847-931-6004 or at fritz-williams_j@cityofelgin.org.

Overhead Sewer and Backwater Valve Assistance

This program offers up to $10,000 for installation of an overhead sewer system or up to $2,500 for installation of a backwater valve. The level of assistance depends on household income and is set aside for residential property owners in designated areas of the city with combined sewer and sanitary lines. Applications are taken on a first-come, first-served basis every calendar year. Contact Lydia Treganza at 847-931-5908 or at Treganza_l@cityofelgin.org.

Energy Efficiency Residential Revolving Loan Fund

Applicants receive a free energy assessment that identifies the improvements to be made. Then, to those who qualify, the city provides up to $40,000 as a no-interest loan that the owner pays back over 10 years based on the energy savings. It is available to residential property owners making energy-efficient retrofits to their homes. Applications will be available Feb. 1 and are due Feb. 25. Contact Jennifer Fritz-Williams at 847-931-6004 or at fritz-williams_j@cityofelgin.org.

All program guidelines and applications are available at city hall in the Community Development Department or on the city of Elgin’s website at www.cityofelgin.org.