HOME CARE Program

What is it?

The HOME CARE Loan Program provides special rehabilitation assistance to low and moderate income elderly or disabled (as defined by Social Security) homeowners. The Program has the specific objective to improve the standard of Portsmouth housing, eliminate blight and blighting influences, and improve the quality of life for Portsmouth's elderly or disabled population.

Eligibility Requirements

Call us at (757) 399-5261 and we’ll help you figure out if you’re eligible for our HOME CARE Program. Below are the guidelines we use to determine eligibility.

Must own the real property with all building and improvements in fee simple title
Must have lived there for at least a year
Property must be residential in character and contain one or more violations of applicable housing codes and standards
Must have one to four complete dwelling units – however, loan proceeds may only be applied to the owner-occupied unit
Must be elderly or handicapped/disabled (as defined by Social Security and Fair Housing Laws).
Fire insurance coverage (and flood insurance, if applicable) must be current
Household debt-to-income ratio must not exceed 45%
Real estate taxes must be current
Hazard insurance coverage must be obtained on the property and remain in effect to cover the total of the indebtedness. The hazard insurance must also name the Portsmouth Redevelopment and Housing Authority, its successors and assigns as mortgagee for the full amount of the grant proceeds.
Income cannot exceed 80% of the area median income adjusted for family size as shown below:

Family Size	Income limit
1	$38,000
2	$43,450
3	$48,850
4	$54,300
5	$58,650
6	$63,000

Eligible Repairs

Money you get through the HOME CARE Loan Program has to be used for repairs and improvements to correct violations or deficiencies of Portsmouth’s housing standards and codes. Here’s how the loan proceeds have to be used:

First priority includes all exterior weather-tight items (roofing, windows, storm windows, doors, storm doors, guttering) and appearance items in violation of city environmental regulations (painting, siding, porch, etc.)
Second priority includes repair or replacement of systems such as structural, electrical, plumbing, heating and air conditioning
Third priority includes repairing or replacing necessary items such as walls, ceiling, insulation, cabinets, and floor covering
Request for emergency repairs or replacements will be evaluated and considered on a case-by-case basis (an “emergency” usually must be a life-threatening situation)

Loan Terms

The HOME CARE Loan Program is not a forgivable grant, meaning you must pay it back. Here are the terms of the loan:

The loan is not forgivable. Payable twenty (20) years from the date of closing.
If the original applicant(s) sell, transfer, lease, deed or otherwise conveys the property, he/she will be obligated to repay the Portsmouth Redevelopment and Housing Authority the entire amount of the loan.
HOME CARE loans shall bear no interest and shall require no monthly installment payments.

Amount of Loan

For a qualified applicant, the amount of a HOME CARE loan will be up to $25,000, or the actual cost of rehabilitation, whichever is less. If costs exceed $25,000, a decision may be made to authorize an increase covering the complete rehabilitation, including all approved repairs.

Checklist & Applications

If you’ve reviewed the general information about our HOME CARE Loan Program and you’d like to apply, please call us at (757) 399-5261 to set up a meeting.

Here’s a checklist of what you’ll need to bring to the meeting and an application that you can fill out and print in advance if you choose.

Want more information?

Checklist

Application (This application may be completed online but must be printed and delivered once complete.)

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