Home Improvement Program

Does your home need repairs?

The Borough of Oakland invite you to apply for Oakland's Home Improvement Program – eligible homeowners can receive up to $30,000 in repairs. Home Improvement Program

About the Program:

The Home Improvement Program was created to assist eligible low- and moderate-income households with repairs or replacement of major home systems (such as a roof or heating system) to correct existing interior and exterior health, safety and substandard code conditions.

If you live in Oakland, own your home, and your total gross annual household income is within the income limit for your household size, you may qualify for a forgivable loan up to $30,000. Funds may be used for work required to make the house code standard, conserve energy, and remove health and/or safety hazards. Eligible improvements are as follows: 

  • Roof;
  • Plumbing (including sanitary plumbing and replacement of lead, galvanized steel and brass water service connection pipes);
  • Heating;
  • Electrical;
  • Load bearing structural systems;
  • Foundations;
  • Weatherization (windows, door, insulation). 

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Household occupants are within the income limit; 
  • There must be existing eligible home improvement(s), including at least one code substandard major housing system; 
  • Property taxes, municipal utilities, and, if applicable, mortgage, and/or HOA fees are paid current;
  • The owner's equity in the home must be greater than the maximum amount of assistance that could be made available; 
  • Must have a current homeowners insurance policy on the house; 
  • Any repairs or renovations currently undertaken on your home by yourself or others, or done within the last few years that require or required permits, the work must be completed and the permits closed out prior to applying for the program; 
  • If any living quarters (bedrooms, kitchens, bathrooms, etc.) existing in the basement or attic and/or if there is any secondary kitchen in any unit, the homeowner will be required to provide evidence that it was permitted by the Borough of Oakland, prior to being able to proceed with the program. 

Eligibility:

Household income is defined as the combined annual income of all family members 18 years of age and older including wages, social security, disability insurance, unemployment insurance, pensions, dividend/interest income, alimony, etc. Each unit's total household income must fall below the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs moderate income limits based on family size as follows: 

Household Size:12345678
Maximum Income:$64,764$74,016$83,267$92,519$99,921$107,323$114,724$122,126

There is no cost to apply and applying to this program does not affect your credit score. Funds are provided as a no interest (0%) ten-year forgivable loan. There are no monthly payments and the loan is forgiven if the homeowner maintains title and occupancy for a ten-year period. A professional inspector oversees the process.

For more detailed information on the program, please read the full program handout here.

Apply Now:

The Home Improvement Program is administered by our partner Community Grants, Planning, & Housing, LLC (CGPH).

To apply, please either submit a pre-application by clicking here, or you contact the Case Manager Beth McCann at bmccann@cgph.net.

If you have questions or do not have internet access, you can call the Program Representative at (609) 664-2781. Funding also available for rental properties – landlords to call for terms.

Downloads

This program is sponsored by the Borough of Oakland.