The Home Rehabilitation and Repair Guidelines document outlines the process,
guidelines, and criteria for a home rehabilitation loan or grant. Home rehabilitation and
repair helps eliminate health and safety hazards, correct code violations, replace or
upgrade major housing systems, or provide any repairs so that the house can be
weatherized. This document contains a template guideline to home rehabilitation and
repair; however, additional language may be incorporated by the user to ensure the
user's needs are met. Use this document if you are seeking Home Rehabilitation
assistance.
Home Rehabilitation and Repair
General Home Rehabilitation and Repair
Any funds obtained must be used to return the home to a habitable space that can be used by any of its
occupants. The home must be the participant’s primary residence.
If the home is rented, renters may use funds to return the home to a habitable space that can be used by any of
its occupants. No funds may be used to make modifications or corrections that are covered under federal and
state Fair Housing Laws.
The purpose of the funds is to:
● eliminate health and safety hazards
● correct code violations
● replace or upgrade major housing system
● provide any repairs so that the house can be weatherized
If the applicant has a disability or lives with a household member with a disability, funds may be used to create
accessibility by removing barriers or making accommodations.
Program requirements
● A site visit by VIDA Specialist to home is required before project initiation and after project completion
● The applicant must complete of 10 to 12 hours of financial education
● The applicant must complete at least 6 hours of asset-specific training
● The applicant must obtain bids from 3 eligible contractors
It is required that the VIDA Specialist visit the site of the proposed work to become fully acquainted with any
obstacles to completion of the work. The VIDA Specialist must analyze the costs of before and after
construction.
Eligible uses of funds include, but are not limited to:
● Essential improvements to maintain the home’s structural integrity
● Improvements related to energy
● Improvements for access for household member with disability
● Improvements to eliminate health hazards associated with lead-based paint, radon, asbestos,
formaldehyde, mold, mildew, etc.
● Any retrofitting due to proximity to seismic activity
● Any emergency conditions, including repair or replacement of major housing systems, including:
1. Electrical issues due to blowing of fuses and/or circuit breakers, which indicate a system overload.
Unsafe conditions due to too few electrical outlets as evidenced by extensive use of extension cords and/or
exposed wiring
2. Plumbing issues due to broken water-heating system. Frequent sewer system backups or
malfunctioning septic systems.
3. Roofing issues due to water intrusion that could cause structural damage or mold.
Non-eligible use of funds includes, but are not limited to:
● landscaping
● improvements that are cosmetic rather than structural
● any remodeling of luxury or nonessential items
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Participants
The participants must live in the property as primary residence. A participant’s household income must:
● Be less than 80% AMI as designated by the county or the state by household size, whichever is higher.
● Be Oregon residents.
● Be at least 12 years of age.
● Have a household net worth of less than $20,000, with the exception of one primary vehicle and
residence.
Funding
Eligible participants will have access to $3,000 in match per 12-month period to a maximum of $9,000.
Asset-Specific Training
In addition to the requirement that an applicant complete financial education, participants must also complete a
minimum of 6 hours of asset-specific training. The curriculum must cover the following elements:
● Home repair and maintenance
● Home protection through insurance, any warning signs, minor do-it-yourself repairs, and information
about when to call a professional
● Working with inspectors, contractors, and other professionals, including any processes for repairing a
home. These processes would include: bidding, price comparison, licenses, pre-construction meetings,
etc.
● Instruction on the timeline and financing of the project
● The creation of a fund for a “rainy day”
Contractor Selection
All work to rehabilitate the property must be performed by licensed, bonded contractors. Any contractors must:
● Work to meet federal, state, and local codes.
● Be able to complete contracted work in a timely and business-like manner.
● Provide satisfactory business, credit, and professional references upon request.
● Be licensed, bonded, and insured by the State of Oregon, or the State of Washington, Idaho, or
California in the event that the participant’s primary dwelling is within twenty-five miles of the Oregon
border.
Any contractors debarred or suspended are prohibited from participating. A participants, their immediate family,
or their household members may not do repairs to the home, even if they meet the requirements listed
previously.
Bidding