Emergency Home Repair

Lorain County Community Action Agency (LCCAA) makes matching grant funds available for qualified individuals to pay for emergency home repairs. Depending on household income, two repair programs are available. One requires a match of 33 cents for every dollar awarded with an award cap of $3,000. The other requires a dollar for dollar match with an award cap of $1,000. An income-eligibility chart is provided below. Both programs are designed to improve safety and health conditions in homes owned and occupied by income-eligible persons.

Based on household size and income, the homeowner is required to pay a portion of the project or repairs. The amount the homeowner puts in is their required “match” to qualify for the assistance. The source of the matching funds may include:

-Homeowner’s cash
-Documented funds from other public and private programs (such as benevolence funds and various home improvement loans)

Eligible repairs may include:

  • Code Violations
  • Exterior Structural Defects – missing porch handrails, sagging porch steps, missing or broken floor boards or decking, replace gutters, broken glass, and mobile home skirting
  • Furnace – clean and tune, duct cleaning, and furnace replacement
  • Handicap Accessibility Improvements – ramps, door-widening and installation of safety bars
  • Plumbing – leaking, broken, sinks, toilets, faucets, garbage disposals, water heater replacements, and gas leaks 
  • Septic Systems - blocked, leaking or non-working septic systems 
  • Small Electrical Hazards – non-working and overheating lights, outlets, and switches 

Program Guidelines

The following guidelines are used in administering the program:

  • The property must be located in Lorain County 
  • Repair work or materials must be invoiced for payment directly to contractor or supplier 
  • Assistance is restricted to once every 24 months for each home 
  • Applicants must be owner-occupants 
  • The homeowner must be income eligible according to household size
    • Income may be calculated as the last 12 months or last 3 months--whichever works in the homeowner's favor

Interested individuals can obtain an application by clicking on the application link below or by calling (440) 204-3154. Once eligibility and funding availability is determined, LCCAA’s Director of Community Services will issue an approval with the amount of the grant awarded. Funds are not released until all work is complete. LCCAA reserves the right to inspect work to verify services have been rendered.

Emergency Home Repair Brochure:

Emergency Home Repair Brochure

Emergency Home Repair Application:

Emergency Home Repair Application

Required forms include:

  • Emergency Home Repair Matching Grant Application
  • CSBG Intake Form

Required documentation to verify eligibility includes:

  • Proof of ownership - Copy of deed or property tax receipt 
  • Proof of income - Paystubs or appropriate documentation for total household income for the last year for everyone in the household 18 years old or above 
  • Utilities - Current gas bill, Current electric bill, Current water bill
  • Proof of residency - Valid driver’s license or state identification card

 This program collaborates with the city building departments to help identified individuals make necessary repairs to their properties that they might not otherwise afford.