VOORHEESVILLE, NEW YORK — A dozen or so low-income homeowners in Albany County may soon have repairs made to their single-family homes. The Albany County Rural Housing Alliance Inc. last week received approval for $300,000 in grant funds. The agency helps with repairs to homes within the county, excluding those in the city of Albany.
 
Any homeowner at or below half of area median income is encouraged to apply, as are those homeowners who fall into the special-needs, frail, elderly, or physically disabled population. All home-improvement projects undertaken include an energy audit and a lead-based paint risk assessment. Repairs are done to address health and safety issues, but not cosmetics, according to Rebecca Buzon of the housing alliance.

“When someone comes in saying they just need a couple windows replaced, we go out and make an assessment,” Buzon said. “We may see that the electrical [system] is old, or that they need a new roof. We say, ‘Let’s see what else needs to be done.’ Regardless, we’re not going to turn anyone away based on what we see in an initial application. It’s always a case-by-case basis.”

The alliance offers grant and loan programs to help low- to moderate-income households in Albany County with home repairs or with the purchase of a first home.  The alliance also offers counseling approved by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development.  Counseling services are free of charge and available to anyone, regardless of location or income level. 

For more information about ACRHA’s Home Program repair guidelines, call Buzon at 765-2425, ext. 2587.