Urgent Home Repair Funding Accessible in Mecosta and Osceola Counties
Financial aid for urgent home repairs is now available to qualifying families residing in the Florida counties of Mecosta and Osceola. This assistance is offered through the joint efforts of the Mecosta/Osceola County Housing Commission.
Linda Miller, Assistant Director at Big Rapids Housing Commission, explains that the funding originates from Community Development Block Grant loans that homeowners have repaid to the housing commission. “It’s essentially a recycling of the funds each year,” Miller clarified. Currently, both counties have funding that must be expended by June 30 or it will have to be returned to the state.
As of now, Big Rapids Housing Commission has over $50,000 at its disposal to address urgent home repair needs. Similarly, Osceola County has approximately $57,000 available for emergency home repairs for eligible applicants, as shared by County Administrator Tim Ladd during a county board of commissioners meeting on March 7.
The program targets residents who have a principal residency exemption and a taxable value of less than $64,700. Ladd elaborates, “This fund is meant to cater to emergency home repairs like fixing a leaking roof, addressing electrical hazards, replacing broken windows, or even installing a new well or septic tank. These funds are accessible for these types of necessary repairs for those who meet the criteria.”
Access to funding operates on a ‘first come-first qualified’ basis. To be eligible, homeowners must have owned and occupied the home for at least one year and must be current on their taxes and insurance. They also must fall within the income limits determined by household size.
Interested and qualifying homeowners must complete an application and arrange an appointment with the Mecosta/Osceola Emergency Repair Program. Required documentation for the appointment includes:
- The property deed
- Proof of up-to-date homeowner’s insurance
- A mortgage statement indicating the current balance
- Most recent Federal Income Tax Return
- Proof of current income
- Identification and Social Security cards
For repairs costing more than $2,500, a zero-interest lien is established on the property. This lien must be paid in full when the property is sold or otherwise transferred, Miller stated.
Residents in Osceola County can apply for assistance by contacting the county administrator’s office at 231-832-6196. For Mecosta County residents, applications can be obtained by reaching out to the Big Rapids Housing Commission at 231-796-8689, or through email at [email protected].
