MEEKER | Is the home or rental property you own in need of repairs, but your bank account disagrees with you? The Town of Meeker has announced two new programs to help property owners in conjunction with Housing Resources of Western Colorado and the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority.
Now available for income-qualifying homeowners in Mesa, Garfield and Rio Blanco counties, the Housing Rehabilitation loan program provides access to low interest-rate loans to repair and maintain homes, and may provide financial assistance to income-qualifying homeowners in need of health and safety repairs to maintain their existing home. The program is designed to finance essential repairs to improve health, safety, energy conservation, structural deficiencies, and accessibility. For eligible homeowners, payments are based on the homeowner’s ability to pay. The goal? Homeowners living comfortably and safely for years to come in healthier homes.
For those who own rental property, or wish to rent their property, a new loan program may become available to support repairs and modifications if enough community interest is demonstrated. The program would ultimately increase rental housing stock in Rio Blanco County.
The Rental Rehabilitation Loan Program (RRLP) offers affordable financing to landlords or prospective landlords who own properties for lease to low and moderate-income renters. The program is a partnership between the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA), Housing Resources of Western Colorado and Colorado Department of Local Affairs-Division of Housing.
“Making improvements to a rental property is a win-win for the landlord, tenant, and the community overall. The RRLP may help with improvements such as a new roof, windows, weatherization, HVAC, etc. Property owners might be challenged in finding financing that fits their needs and that’s why we are excited to potentially offer this new program starting in early 2020 if there is enough community interest. Having the Town of Meeker embrace this effort through the ‘Meeker Makeover: Rehab/Remodel/Revive’ initiative is the first of its kind in western Colorado and we hope that it is very successful for the community,” said Karen Harkin, the community relationship manager for CHFA on the Western Slope.
The Town encourages anyone interested to come to the Meeker Public Library Wednesday, May 8 at 6 p.m. to learn more about these programs.
Special to the Herald Times
