Housing Partnership of Chester County programs.
Offering everything from home repairs to financial aid, the Housing Partnership of Chester County is a leading agency that struggling tenants or homeowners can all upon for help. Staff can help homeowners apply for mortgage help from Home Loan Modifications and direct people to Senior Fuel Assistance Program, among many other services.
HPCC accepts applications for heating bill help. This is for older people and is offered as part of the Senior Fuel Assistance Program. As funding allows, money will be paid directly to the home-fuel providers of qualified tenants or homeowners who are at least 70 years of age.
In order to be eligible for this program, applicants must be responsible for paying heating bills and the combined income of all household members cannot exceed a certain limit. In addition, applicants from Chester County must submit proof of income as well as a copy of either a photo identification card or a birth certificate. The non-profit agency notes that this program offers a subsidy to low income residents on a one-time-only basis.
Housing Partnership of Chester County administers the Housing Rehabilitation Program on behalf of the Department of Community Development. This countywide service helps low to moderate-income homeowners repair housing violations, including structural, roofing, plumbing, heating and electrical problems. The service also helps clients remove lead-based paint from their home as well.
Furthermore, the repair program assists clients in making handicap-accessible modifications to their home, such as ramps, widened doorways and bathroom alterations. There are several eligibility requirements, including the owner must occupy the property. It also needs to be a single-family dwelling that is detached or semi-detached, or a row or a condominium. Also, HPCC will also only enroll people if all real estate taxes are current. Also, if the property is located in a flood plain, insurance is needed for all home improvements.
The Chester County Home Modification Program (CCHMP) helps income qualified residents with permanent disabilities improve the accessibility of their residence. CCHMP is available to disabled persons of all ages. Home modifications provided through this program include the installation of ramps, lifts, widened hallways, widened doorways, kitchen and bathroom alterations, visual doorbells, hearing impaired audio phones, and phone signalers. The Keystone Communities agency as well as the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development pay for this program.
Under the Home Maintenance Program from Housing Partnership of Chester County, residents who are 65 years of age and older can subsidize their total home maintenance and repair costs. Services include the installation of heaters, windows, roof repairs, adding bathrooms and siding. This program offers a one-time grant to those that qualify.
Low- to moderate-income individuals and families who are interested in purchasing a home for the first time can turn to HPCC for counseling as well. In some cases, grants may be issued as a form of financial assistance. The First-Time Home Buyer Program offers pre-purchase homeownership counseling and low interest loans for down payment and closing costs.
Credit Counseling from the non-profit offers clients assistance with solving debt and credit issues. This free service helps individuals resolve current problems and prevent future ones. Through this program, people will need to assess household needs and goals, develop a budget, and establish a realistic time frame with short- and long-term objectives to remedy the issues.
Staff from HPCC schedule regular meetings and phone calls with clients to ensure that progress is being made towards these objectives Individualized counseling includes assistance with reducing expenditures, analyzing and improving a credit report, eliminating debt and becoming creditworthy. The free Credit Counseling Program also advises clients on what to do when contacting creditors.
Residents of the county can call upon the Housing Partnership of Chester County. HPCC is located at 41 West Lancaster Avenue, Downingtown, Pennsylvania 19335. The phone number is (610) 518-1522.
|
