Berkeley, California (Friday, September 14, 2007)-- Qualified low-income seniors and disabled homeowners may apply for an interest-free loan of up to $70,000 to rehabilitate their homes, thanks to a $600,000 CalHome Program grant received by the City of Berkeley.  Homeowners must meet income guidelines, be 62 years of age or older, or permanently disabled to qualify for the program.

“Owning a home can provide a lot of stability and security, but maintaining a home can be a serious burden on many families,” said Rae Mary, interim Housing Director. “CalHome funds feed into the City’s Housing Rehabilitation Program and will allow us to serve even more families.”

The newly awarded CalHome funds will continue to be utilized under the existing program enabling the City to provide for more comprehensive improvements and increase the number of housing rehabilitation loans without increasing the City funds to the program.

Since 2001, the City has received $750,000 from CalHomes, which has been used to assist twenty-four very low-income senior and disabled homeowners to rehabilitate their homes.  The newest grant will be an increase of $600,000 to the City’s Senior and Disabled Home Rehabilitation Loan Program budget for the next three years.

For more information, read the report to the City Council here, http://www.CityofBerkeley.info/citycouncil/2007citycouncil/packet/091807/09-18a.htmor call Ener Cueva of the Housing Department at 981-5400.

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