Mayor Horrigan Announces Akron Home Repair Program
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City of Akron Press Release
From the desk of Stephanie Marsh
Published: 06-23-2022

Akron, Ohio, June 23, 2022 — Today, at an event at Reservoir Park Community Center, Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan and City officials announced the launch of the Akron Home Repair Program. This program will help repair homes in Akron with funding from the American Rescue Plan Act. The focus areas will be on repairing existing homes to ensure they are clean, safe, dry, and ADA accessible.

"The Akron Home Repair Program is intended to address the housing, health, and safety needs of income-eligible households so that Akron residents can maintain a safe, decent, and affordable place to live," said Mayor Horrigan. "It will help Akronites age in place, increase property values within our neighborhoods, and increase the overall value of the Akron community. This is one of the largest housing repair programs utilizing ARPA funding across the entire country, and I'm extremely proud to invest these funds in ways that the community has asked for."

The Program provides up to $25,000 in home repairs to qualified homeowners in Akron. Types of home repairs that would be available through the Program include: accessibility modifications, carpentry repairs, siding, drywall/painting, flooring, foundations, gutters and downspouts, plumbing, roofing, windows, doors, HVAC and electrical work.

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Program eligibility will be determined by the City of Akron, and all home inspections and eligible repairs will be completed by City-approved, licensed, building contractors. Eligible repairs are restricted to those necessary for improving the health, safety, and well-being of the household. The City will also determine which repairs will be funded through the Program.

To qualify, applicants must:
  • Be the owner of the home, and their property must be located within the city limits of Akron.
  • Meet one of the following household income requirements:
    • Inside of a Qualified Census Tract (QCT) and have a household income at or below 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI).
    • Outside of a Qualified Census Tract and have a household income at or below 50% of the Area Median Income (AMI).
  • Be current on their mortgage, property taxes, state and local income taxes, or be current on an approved payment plan for any delinquent taxes.
  • Home must be in sound structural condition for requested work to be performed.

To determine if a home falls within one of Akron's QCTs:
  • Step 1: Go to this Website
  • Step 2: Enter your address in the top left-hand corner of your screen
  • Step 3: Then click "Color QCT Qualified Tracts"

Currently, renters, occupants on a land contract, and owners/occupants of mobile home units are not eligible for services through this Program.

Applications are now open and are available at the city's new ARPA website at www.akronohiorescue.gov. The website will include information on all the city's ARPA funded programs and initiatives including the Home Repair Program. Applicants will be able to review eligibility requirements, check to see if they live in a Qualified Census Tract, and fill out an application directly on the site. Paper applications will also be available at all the city's community centers and can be turned in at the centers or at City Hall. Applications can also be mailed to City Hall: City of Akron, Ohio - Housing Rehab Division, 166 S. High St., Room #100, Akron, Ohio 44308. The City plans to begin working on homes by the end of July 2022.

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Anyone with questions regarding their eligibility, the eligibility of their home, or needing assistance with completing the program application, may call the Akron Home Repair Program Help Desk at (330) 591-4694.

The City will host two contractor outreach events for all local contractors who are interested in assisting with these home repairs. A contractor must be approved by the City to perform this work.  The first contractor outreach event will take place at Summit Lake Community Center on June 29 from 2:30-4:00pm and the second will be at Patterson Park Community Center on July 6 from 3:00–4:30pm.

For residents interested in learning more, there will be a how-to video for filling out and submitting applications available on the ARPA website in the coming days. There will also be special ward meetings held in every ward of the City beginning June 28-July 14. To see your ward's meeting and learn more, please visit www.akroncitycouncil.org.

For more information about the Akron ARPA Home Repair Program, please visit: www.akronohiorescue.gov.

For further information, contact:
Stephanie Marsh
Chief Communications Officer
Phone: 330-375-2754
E-mail: [email protected]

Filed Under: Government, City
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