Rehabilitation Programs

OWNER OCCUPIED HOUSING REHABILITATION PROGRAM: This program is the major element of the overall rehabilitation efforts. You may qualify for this program if you have ownership of the property and are able to provide a copy of the property deed with your name on it; are a resident of Richmond County; occupy the property as your primary residence; have a household income in line with the established low to moderate income limits and if the cost of repair is within our project cost limit. Our aim is to provide decent, safe, sanitary, and affordable housing. We are required to bring your house up to code, meet the HUD Guidelines compliance in addressing the roof, foundation, floors, siding, and the electrical and plumbing systems and to comply with Historic Preservation requirements. We want to help homeowners carry out and maintain improvements preserving pride of ownership as well as the value of homeowner’s equity, which for most represents the majority of their life savings. We will inspect your home to determine if its feasible for repair and to obtain a cost estimate. We will then conduct an interview to determine if and how you qualify for one of the four types of financial assistance that we provide. You may be eligible for a Conditional Deferred Payment Loan, a Low Interest Rate Loan or an Emergency Grant.

  • CONDITIONAL DEFERRED PAYMENT LOAN (CDPL) This type of assistance is made to individuals who are the primary owner of their property and whose income falls within and/or below the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development’s (HUD) 50% Area Median Income (AMI) guideline. The property owner is exempt from making monthly payments. The funds assigned to their home will be collected in full, at the time of transfer and/or sale of the property.
  • LOW INTEREST RATE LOAN (LIRL) This type of assistance includes repayable loans made at interest rates of three percent (3%). LIRLs are made to applicants who qualify as moderate-income households. The loan approvals are based on the applicant's ability to repay a loan. Loan repayment periods may extend up to twenty (20) years.
  • EMERGENCY GRANT Emergency Grants are dependent on the circumstances and the severity of the situation as determined by the Housing Rehabilitation Department. This program is limited to emergency work only and must be within our established emergency cost limit.

FREE PAINT PROGRAM: This program was designed to address the deteriorating exterior conditions of the older housing stock within Augusta Richmond County. We provide free exterior paint to qualified homeowners and landlords whose tenants are residing within Augusta Richmond County and who meet the low income guidelines established by HUD for that size household. We will provide the paint but the owner must make arrangements to have the structure painted. The applicant is allowed 90 days to begin painting and 180 days to complete the work.

An owner will only be allowed to reapply for the Paint Program after seven (7) years have lapsed.