By Joanna Harris, Staff Reporter
The Whole-Home Repairs Program is an initiative that aims to address safety, habitability, energy efficiency and accessibility. The program, sponsored by the state, offers support for lower income homeowners to make critical repairs such as heating, plumbing, electric and mobility without cost. The goal of the program is to create a safe and healthy community regardless of income.
Senator Nikil Saval introduced it as part of the state budget in 2022, and Chester County approved the initiative on Sept 28. Any homeowners earning less than 80% of the median area income are eligible for assistance.
“I think it’s a fantastic program to help low to moderate- income families address concerns in their homes. I think it will be a wonderful program for the community, for those to be able to utilize those funds,” said Brooke Seeger, community program director of Habitat for Humanity of Chester County.
The county appropriated almost $3 million to carry out this program. Each household can receive almost $25,000 of financial assistance. The funding for the program comes from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, a plan established in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
All states received funding from the federal government to assist people disadvantaged as a result of the pandemic, and the state allocated the remaining money to the Whole-Home Repairs Program.
“On the part of the state, I think it was an innovative, creative way to put their American Rescue Plan money out to address the affordable housing issues that we have in our state and across the country,” said Doloris Colligan, director of the Chester County Department of Community Development.
Good Works Inc., Habitat for Humanity of Chester County and Good Neighbors Home Repair formed a coalition for this initiative. The state assigned them to carry out the program in Chester County. They are in charge of distributing the money and sending workers to complete the various repairs.
Residents can send in applications for assistance on the Whole-Home Repairs website, and then organizations will evaluate what can be done and provide the services needed.
“We are thrilled to have been selected by the county to execute this program. We’re very pleased that we have the opportunity to affect in a positive way so many homeowners living in poverty, so we really applaud that,” said Bob Beggs, executive director of Good Works.
Based on the amount of money given to the state and the number of households below the poverty line in Chester County, Beggs estimated that this program could impact almost 180 households in Chester County.
The Whole-Home Repairs Program will accept applications until funds run out, but Pennsylvania legislators are working to approve a plan that will continue funding this program in the future using Pennsylvania Commonwealth money.
“There’s a commitment from our state legislature to continue to help homeowners in (a lower) income bracket to be able to stay in a safe, energy efficient, sanitary, affordable home,” Colligan said.
Joanna Harris can be reached at [email protected].
