The helps low- to moderate-income homeowners correct local code violations in their homes. Violations may include, but are not limited to, structural, plumbing, heating and electrical problems. The eligible applicant must be the owner of the home and the household's annual gross income must not exceed 80 percent of the area median income. The maximum amount of funding per single family dwelling is $25,000.

For more information, contact:

Housing Partnership of Chester County

41 W. Lancaster Ave., Downingtown, PA 19335

610-518-1522

Home Maintenance Program

This program provides assistance to homeowners who are age 65 or older with moderate home repairs and modifications such as roof, minor plumbing, flooring repairs and general repairs that may improve the physical functioning of the elderly client. The eligible applicant must be the owner of the home and the household's annual gross income must not exceed 50 percent of the area median income. The maximum amount of funding per single family dwelling unit is $4,500.

For more information or to obtain an application, contact:

Housing Partnership of Chester County

41 W. Lancaster Ave., Downingtown, PA 19335

610-518-1522

Credit Counseling Program

The Credit Counseling Program provides, free of charge, counseling to people who are having credit problems. Program staff work with applicants to remedy and prevent future credit problems, develop a household budget and set a time frame in which the results would be achieved. Regular meetings are scheduled to ensure all steps are being followed and progress is being made.

For further information, contact:

Housing Partnership of Chester County

41 W. Lancaster Ave., Downingtown, PA 19335

maria-hpcc@verizon.net

Homeowners' Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program

The Homeowners' Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program provides mortgage assistance for Pennsylvania families in danger of losing their home to foreclosure. The program was created by Act 91 of 1983 and is the only one of its kind in the nation. It helps homeowners who, through no fault of their own, are financially unable to make their mortgage payments regardless of income.

Program participants receive loans to help bring delinquent payments current, and may be eligible for continuing payment assistance for as long as 24 months. Under the program, mortgage payments are made directly to lenders on the homeowner's behalf.

For further information, contact:

Housing Partnership of Chester County

41 W. Lancaster Ave., Downingtown, PA 19335

610-518-1522

maria-hpcc@earthlink.net

Home Repair Program

Good Works, a nonprofit Christian ministry, uses DCD funding to supplement volunteer efforts to make home repairs for homeowners who cannot afford to pay for the repairs themselves. The eligible applicant must be the owner of the home and the household's annual gross income must not exceed 150 to 175 percent of the poverty level. The estimated cost of repairs is generally under $5,000 per household served.

For more information, contact:

Good Works Inc.

544 E. Lincoln Highway, Coatesville, PA 19320

610-383-6311

Good Neighbors/Koinonia Christian Ministries

205 E. State St., Kennett Square, PA 19348

610-444-1860

Weatherization Assistance

If your house or apartment is cold and drafty because of poor insulation and a creaky, old furnace, but you cannot afford to make repairs, there is help available through the Weatherization Assistance Program. The eligible applicant's household annual gross income must not exceed 150 percent of the poverty level. Eligible households can benefit from a high-tech computerized assessment of energy use and air leakage. Using the results of the assessment, a trained crew will visit the house to tune up the furnace, install energy saving insulation, weather stripping, and pipe wrap as needed. This is a free service.

For more information, contact:

Housing Development Corp.

308 E. King St., Lancaster, PA 17602

800-732-3554

Home Modification Program

The Home Modification Program provides assistance to individuals with permanent disabilities in making their current residence more accessible. Modifications may include, but are not limited to, ramps, lifts, door and hallway widening, kitchen and bathroom modifications, visual doorbells, audio phones and visual phone signalers. The eligible applicant must have a verifiable permanent disability and the household's annual gross income must not exceed 80 percent of the area median income.

For more information, contact:

Housing Partnership of Chester County

41 W. Lancaster Ave., Downingtown, PA 19335

610-518-1522

First-Time Homebuyers' Program

This program provides education in addition to direct financial assistance to low- and moderate-income homebuyers whose income does not exceed 80 percent of the area median income. Financial counseling and homeownership training are prerequisites to receiving down payment and closing cost assistance.

For more information, contact:

Housing Partnership of Chester County

41 W. Lancaster Ave., Downingtown, PA 19335

610-518-1522

Housing Authority of the County of Chester — Section 8 Rent Assistance

The Housing Authority administers the Section 8 rent assistance program, which is ongoing rent assistance for low-income people, and public housing, which is permanent rental housing, in Chester County.

For more information, contact:

Housing Authority of the County of Chester

30 W. Barnard St., West Chester, PA 19382

610-436-9200