Habitat serving low income homeowners through ShoreCorp partnership

(Salisbury, MD) Habitat for Humanity of Wicomico County recently partnered with Salisbury University ShoreCorps/Pals Americorps program and welcomed Laurie Williams, Americorps member to their staff on January 11, 2017. Laurie will lead Habitat’s Roof and Repair program – focusing on outreach to our ‘aging in place’ community of homeowners aged 62 and older that need critical repairs to their homes. Known as the Section 504 Home Repair program, USDA/Rural Development provides loans to very-low-income homeowners to repair, improve or modernize their homes or grants to elderly very-low-income homeowners to remove health and safety hazards.

Applicants must meet the following criteria: the home must be located in an eligible area, the homeowner must own and occupy the house, be unable to obtain affordable credit elsewhere, have a family income below 50 percent of the area median income. For grants, the homeowner or spouse must be 62 or older and not be able to repay a repair loan. Most homes within the City limits of Salisbury are ineligible.

The maximum loan is $20,000 and the maximum grant is $7500. Loans and grants can be combined for up to $27,500 in assistance. “The application process can be overwhelming and frustrating, which is why bringing Laurie on board to assist homeowners in determining whether they meet the qualifications is a blessing,” explained Molly Hilligoss, Executive Director. “Laurie will then assist homeowners in completing the application with the all of the required documents. Since there isn’t a Somerset County Habitat affiliate, Laurie will assist applicants there as well.”

Interested homeowners are encouraged to call Habitat for Humanity of Wicomico County at 410-546-1551 to obtain more information. www.wicomicohabitat.org