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Home repair programs get funding

Chautauqua Home Rehabilitation and Improvement Corporation (CHRIC) has been awarded funding by the New York State Office of Community Renewal for three home repair programs designed to assist people with disabilities who need accessibility modifications, including funding dedicated specifically to veterans who need accessibility modifications, and seniors who have emergency repair needs.

The first program, Access Chautauqua, can provide home modifications such as wheelchair ramps, walk-in showers, high-boy toilets, stair-chair lifts or other moderate modifications that will make the home safe to live in, depending on individual needs. The program is available to homeowners throughout Chautauqua County. Only owner-occupied homes can be assisted, although the modifications can be needed by a household member who is not the owner of the home.

In order to be eligible, the homeowner must be current with their mortgage and property taxes and have homeowners insurance. For Access Chautauqua, the annual household income must be below the following: household size of one, $37,120; household size of two, $42,400; household size of three, $47,680; household size of four, $52,960. Income limits continue to increase with household size.

The second program, Access Chautauqua Heroes, can provide home modifications to anyone who was honorably discharged from any branch of the U.S. military. The need for home modifications does not have to be tied to a service-related injury. If a veteran finds that he or she is having some trouble safely accessing their home or using the rooms in their home due to an illness, a non-service related injury, or normal aging, Access Chautauqua Heroes may be able to provide help.

The program is available to homeowners throughout Chautauqua County. Only owner-occupied homes can be assisted. The veteran does not need to be the owner of the home, but the veteran must be the person in need of the accessibility modifications. The home must be the veteran’s primary, year-round residence and a copy of the veteran’s Discharge papers will be needed.

Again, the homeowner must be current with their mortgage and property taxes and have homeowners insurance. For Access Chautauqua Heroes, the annual household income must be below the following: household size of one, $55,680; household size of two, $63,600; household size of three, $71,520; household size of four, $79,440. Income limits continue to increase with household size. Households with greater financial need may be prioritized for assistance if demand for assistance is greater than the available funding.

Finally, RESTORE Chautauqua is available to lower-income homeowners over the age of 60 who are in need of smaller emergency repairs. Examples could include repairing or replacing a furnace or hot water tank that is not working, repairing stairs or porches to assure safe access into and egress out of the home, repairs to assure a safe and sufficient supply of water for household use, etc.

The maximum available to any one household is $10,000. If the homeowner has received assistance under the RESTORE program in the past, that amount must be included in the $10,000 maximum. Only owner-occupied homes can be assisted and the owner of the home must be over the age of 60. As with the other programs, the homeowner must be current with their mortgage and property taxes and have homeowners insurance. For RESTORE Chautauqua, the annual household income must be below the following: household size of one, $46,400; household size of two, $53,000; household size of three, $59,600; household size of four, $66,200. Income limits continue to increase with household size. Households with greater financial need may be prioritized for assistance if demand for assistance is greater than the available funding.

CHRIC is a countywide non-profit agency that has been serving the needs of Chautauqua County residents since 1978. For more information or an application for any of these programs, please call CHRIC at 753-4650.

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