Community Neighborhood Housing Services, a Saint Paul-based NeighborWorks Home Ownership Center, has been awarded funds to provide home low-cost improvement loans to homeowners living in Ramsey County. A variety of programs are available, meeting the needs of households with incomes up to 120% of area median income as determined by HUD, currently $100,800 for a family of four. Interest rates are currently below 2%.
Jason Peterson, Executive Director of Community NHS, said that its loan program is unique in that it includes construction management services. “One of the major benefits that we provide, aside from low interest rates, is that we assist homeowners in the construction process,” Peterson said. “This means we can help identify and select contractors for the work, we assist in the construction management process, and we verify that the work is done correctly before any of the bills are paid. This can take some of the fear out of tackling an improvement project, large or small.”
The financing can be used for projects such as furnace repair or replacement, plumbing upgrades or repairs, roofing, storm windows, insulation, structural repairs, and additional bedrooms. Homeowners should contact Community NHS to find out if their project qualifies. Grants may also be available for emergency repairs.
Homeowners interested in learning more about the programs available should contact Community NHS at 651-292-8710. Income, equity, and credit restrictions may apply. Funds are available on a first come, first serve basis and a waiting list is not maintained.
Community Neighborhood Housing Services (CNHS) is a community based non-profit organization located in Saint Paul, MN. Specializing in foreclosure prevention, home improvement loans, and new homeowner education, CNHS serves the seven-county metro area with special program emphasis in the city of Saint Paul. The organization currently provides services in English and in Hmong. More information is available at www.communitynhs.org
