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City of Rochester

Housing Rehabilitation and Repair Programs

City of Rochester Housing Rehabilitation Programs

The City of Rochester offers a range of housing rehabilitation programs designed to support homeowners who own residential property in Rochester.  The City of Rochester, the Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Community Development Block Grant program, HUD’s Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes, U.S. Department of the Treasury Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery funds, and New York State Housing Trust Fund Corporation fund the programs offered. 

If you have any questions regarding what programs are available, contact your local Neighborhood Service Center (NSC). 

Locate your NSC office

City of Rochester Approved Contractor List

If you are a contractor and would like to be added to the City's approved contractors list for our programs, complete a contractor application. Minority and Woman-owned Business Enterprise are encouraged to apply. If you would like an application or have any questions, please contact Sylvia Dobbs at (585)428-6207 or via email at Sylvia.Dobbs@cityofrochester.gov.   

Emergency Assistance Program (EAP)

The funds for the program are available on a first-come, first-served basis until all funds are expended.

  • The EAP program provides financial assistance to eligible owner-occupants who own a one to four-family residential property to help with emergencies related to furnaces, boilers, and water heaters.  

  • The assistance is only for the owner-occupied unit.

  • The City reserves the right to cancel projects that have excessive costs that go beyond the purpose of the program.

Emergency Assistance Program Eligibility

  • The applicant(s) must be the owner of the property (You may be ineligible for the program(s) if the deed to the property lists multiple owners who do not reside in the property).

  • The total household income cannot exceed 80% of HUD’s MFI.

  • City of Rochester and Monroe County taxes must be current and not subject to foreclosure.  If an owner is on a tax agreement, payments must be current throughout the entire application process.

  • Property owners must be current on mortgage payments and not subject to foreclosure.

  • Property owners must be code-compliant with all properties owned in the city of Rochester.

  • Property owner must be current on the City of Rochester taxes with all properties owned in the city of Rochester.

  • Applicants must be the owner of the property (You may be ineligible for the program(s) if the deed to the property lists multiple owners who do not reside in the property).

  • The total household income cannot exceed 80% of HUD’s MFI.

  • City of Rochester and Monroe County taxes must be current and not subject to foreclosure.  If an owner is on a tax agreement, payments must be current throughout the entire application process.

  • Property owners must be current on mortgage payments and not subject to foreclosure.

  • Property owners must be code-compliant with all properties owned in the city of Rochester.

  • Property owner must be current on the City of Rochester taxes with all properties owned in the city of Rochester.

  • If the property has two units or more, the total household income for tenants cannot exceed 50% of HUD’s MFI.

Targeted Home Improvement Program (T-HIP)

Pre-applications for the program are being accepted through Aug. 26. Funding will be awarded through a random selection of pre-qualified applicants.

Program overview

Financial Assistance: The T-HIP Program provides financial assistance to eligible owner-occupants who own a one to four-family residential property to help with critical home repairs.  

  • Cost Sharing: Owner-occupants of two to four-family homes must pay 5% of the total project cost.
  • Eligible Repairs: Includes addressing lead-based paint hazards, health and safety hazards, and code violations.
  • Project Cancelation: The City can cancel projects with excessive costs beyond the program’s purpose.
  • Property Agreement: Owner-occupants must sign a Program Agreement and Note, maintaining the property as their primary residence for five years.
  • Additional Requirements: Depending on the funding source, owner-occupants may be required to sign a Program Agreement, note, and mortgage, or other legal document to secure the program funds for a term longer than 5 years.

Eligibility criteria

  • Property Ownership: Applicants must be the owner of the property (You may be ineligible for the program(s) if the deed to the property lists multiple owners who do not reside in the property).
  • Income Limits: Total household income cannot exceed 80% of HUD’s Median Family Income (MFI). For properties with two or more units, tenant household income cannot exceed 50% of HUD’s MFI.
  • Tax Compliance: City of Rochester and Monroe County taxes must be current and not subject to foreclosure. If an owner is on a tax agreement, payments must be current throughout the entire application process.
  • Mortgage and Code Compliance: Must be current on mortgage payments and not subject to foreclosure. Property owners must be code-compliant with all properties owned in the city of Rochester.

How to apply

  • Pre-Application Deadline: Pick up and submit your pre-application form by August 26, 2024, at your local NSC office (See list below).
  • Selection: Winners are chosen by random selection, with drawings held at each NSC office at 2 p.m. on August 27. Attendance is optional but welcome.
  • Full Application: Selected winners must complete a full program application. The City will review these to determine final eligibility.
  • Program Benefits:
  • Funding Assistance: For essential repairs, including:
  • Addressing lead-based paint hazards
  • Mitigating health and safety hazards
  • Correcting code violations

More information

Visit, call, or email your local NSC office Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

City of Rochester Neighborhood Service Centers

Northeast NSC
Southwest NSC
Southeast NSC

 

Roof Program for Owner-Occupants 

The Roof program provides financial assistance to eligible owner-occupants of a one or two-family residential property to assist with roof replacement, gutters, downspouts, chimney repair or replacement, soffits, and venting.  The City reserves the right to cancel projects that have excessive costs that go beyond the purpose of the program.

Owner-occupants must sign a Program Agreement and Note, and maintain the property as their primary residence for five (5) years.

Depending on the funding source, owner-occupants may be required to sign a Program Agreement, note, mortgage, or other legal document to secure the program funds for a term longer than 5 years. 

Roof Program for Owner-Occupant Eligibility  

  • Applicants must be the owner of the property (You may be ineligible for the program(s) if the deed to the property lists multiple owners who do not reside in the property).

  • The total household income cannot exceed 80% of HUD’s MFI.

  • City of Rochester and Monroe County taxes must be current and not subject to foreclosure.  If an owner is on a tax agreement, payments must be current throughout the entire application process.

  • Property owner(s) must be current on mortgage payments and not subject to foreclosure.

  • Property owner(s) must be code-compliant with all properties owned in the city of Rochester.

  • Property owners must be current on the City of Rochester taxes with all properties owned in the city of Rochester.

Lead Hazard Control Program (LHCP) 

The funds for the program are on a first-come, first-served basis until all funds are expended.

  • The Lead Hazard Control Program provides financial assistance to eligible owner-occupants and landlords who own one to four-family residential structures to help remediate lead-based paint hazards. 

  • The property must be in good condition. Properties that are fire-damaged, structurally unsound, or severely neglected are not eligible for the program.

  • Program funding is only to remediate lead-based paint hazards.

  • Examples of eligible repairs may include window replacement, door replacement, siding, porch repair or replacement, painting, and soil remediation and interventions to correct non-lead environmental health hazards.  The City reserves the right to cancel projects that have excessive costs that go beyond the purpose of the program.

  • Owner-Occupants must sign a Program Agreement and Note, and maintain the property as their primary residence for five (5) years.

  • Landlords must sign a Program Agreement and Note, and maintain ownership of the property for five (5) years.

  • Depending on the funding source, owner-occupants may be required to sign a Program Agreement, note, mortgage, or other legal document to secure the program funds for a term longer than 5 years.

Lead Hazard Control Program Eligibility

  • Applicants must be the owner of the property (You may be ineligible for the program if the deed to the property lists multiple owners who do not reside in the property).

  • The total household income for owner-occupants cannot exceed 80% of HUD’s MFI.

  • Owner-occupants must have a child or a visiting child under the age of six. The owner must provide proof of the child’s relationship by providing a copy of the parent and child’s birth certificate.

  • Owner-occupants who own and live in a two to four-family residential structure are required to pay 5% of the total project cost.

  • The total household income for tenants cannot exceed 50% of HUD’s MFI.

  • Landlords are required to pay 10% of the total project cost.

  • City of Rochester and Monroe County taxes must be current and not subject to foreclosure.  If an owner is on a tax agreement, payments must be current throughout the entire application process.

  • Property owners must be current on mortgage payments and not subject to foreclosure.

  • Property owners must be code-compliant with all properties owned in the city of Rochester.

  • Property owner must be current on the City of Rochester taxes with all properties owned in the city of Rochester.