IRETON—Siouxland Habitat for Humanity has a new program for Sioux County residents to consider.
Sioux County director of Habitat for Humanity Kurt Franje shared details about the new Home Repairs Program with the Ireton City Council during its Monday meeting.
“This program is to help homeowners who meet income eligibility guidelines to maintain their homes and keep their community thriving,” Franje said. “The program’s focus is exterior work and accessibility to preserve a home and the owner’s ability to live in it.”
Projects can include modifications to help accessibility like ramps, level handles and door modifications; roof and porch repair or replacements; siding and/or soffit repair or painting; driveway and sidewalk repair; and landscaping and tree trimming.
“This is for people who do own their home but either physically or financially don’t have the capability to make those repairs,” Franje said.
A need for exterior home repair must be demonstrated to quality for home repairs. Applicants must also own their own home and it must be their primary residents. Applicants must also be current on their property taxes and homeowners insurance.
After the prescreening process is complete, Franje will go to the home to access the needs and determine the projects that need to be done.
Families who qualify will be required to complete a minimum of eight hours of volunteer labor toward the project.
To qualify, an applicant must fall within certain income parameters and be able to make affordable monthly payments.
“Habitat staff and volunteers will provide the labor for free, but the homeowner will be responsible for repaying the cost of the materials in a small monthly loan that’s affordable for them,” Franje said.
Income eligibility is about 60 percent above the federal poverty line. For example, the maximum income for an eligible individual is $40,080; for a two-person household it is $45,840; for family of three it’s $51,540; for four it is $57,240; for five it is $61,860; for six it is $66,420; for seven it is $70,980; and for eight it is $75,600.
With Siouxland Habitat for Humanity building a new home in Rock Valley this year, Franje said he’d like to have two to four of these home repair projects for this first year.
“It’s not a hand out, it’s a hand up,” he said.
For more information and an application, people may call 712-224-5117 or e-mail [email protected].