Home Improvement
Through the Home Improvement Program (HIP) of WDG, area homeowners are able to access a wide range of low-interest loans and, depending on income eligibility, small grants to complete needed home repairs. Grant amounts are awarded up to a certain percentage of the total project cost based on the applicant’s total household income. There are no 100% grant awards through HIP.
Qualifying improvements for HIP include:
- Roof repair or replacement
- Window repair or replacement
- Heating system repair or replacement
- Handicap accessible improvements
- Foundation repair
- Installation, repair, or replacement of onsite septic systems
- Connection to a public treatment system
- Porch repair or replacement
- Other matters that may affect the health and/or safety of inhabitants
Program Process
- Homeowners must answer a few pre-qualifying questions to determine eligibility. Once this questionnaire is completed, please contact Joanna McKay at 304-636-6495, x24, to schedule an appointment to determine your eligibility. If eligibility has been proven, homeowners are asked to complete an application and submit supporting documentation to process their application. Supporting documents include income and employment verification, proof of homeowners insurance, bank statements, and property tax receipts.
- Using this documentation and the total estimated cost of repairs, a funding package is determined. This funding package may be 100% loan or a combination of loan and grant.
- Before making an application for loan assistance, homeowners are required to have an estimate completed by a licensed and insured contractor. All projects receiving grant assistance are estimated and pre-authorized by a third party general contractor. Homeowners may also be required to undergo a credit check or credit counseling before making their loan application.
- Homeowners receiving grant assistance must have their home repairs completed by a licensed and insured contractor approved by WDG. Homeowners receiving only loan assistance have the choice to approve a licensed and insured construction contractor.
- Following the completion of all necessary paperwork, contracts, and agreements, work on your home repairs will begin. For all grant recipients, a final inspection by the third party general contractor is required when the job is finished.
For more information on the Home Improvement Program, please contact Carol Cain at 304-636-6495, x33, or email ccain@wdgwv.org.
