JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The application window for homeowners in Jacksonville to apply for financial assistance to fix or replace their roofs opened at 9 a.m. Tuesday, and by 10:12 a.m., the waiting list for the city’s new “Home Roof Rehabilitation” program was already full.
Mayor Donna Deegan green-lit the program, which is funded through the city’s general fund, after the need was identified by one of her transition committees.
The goal is to help replace roofs so people can keep their homeowner’s insurance and remain in compliance with their mortgage requirements.
The maximum amount of assistance available is just under $15,000 per home, and the city said the current level of $500,000 in funding covers roof rehabilitation for up to 35 homes. The waiting list was capped at 125 applications based on this amount.
In the application window Tuesday morning, the city received 270 applications before it closed the waiting list.
“This overwhelming demand demonstrates the importance of fully funding the program. The original budget request of $946,000 was reduced to $500,000 through the Finance Committee process, leaving $446,000 available below the line,” the city said in a news release.
The city’s financial assistance will give qualifying residents a deferred payment loan at zero interest with no monthly payments due for a term of up to five years.
There are some income requirements to qualify:
- A household with one person can make no more than $49,600 a year
- A household with two people can make no more than $56,650
- A household with three people can make no more than $63,750
- A household with four people can make no more than $70,800
- A household with five people can make no more than $76,500
- A household with six people can make no more than $82,150
- A household with seven people can make no more than $87,800
- A household with eight people can make no more than $93,500
The program is for homeowners who live in the house they are applying to repair. Mobile homes are not eligible.
In a post on social media, the city said it will be looking to identify new funding sources so it can reopen applications later.
Due to the overwhelming response from the community, the waiting list for the Home Roof Rehabilitation program has reached the maximum number of applications and is currently closed. As we work to identify new funding sources, applications will be reopened at a future date. https://t.co/ggjD1VBpNX
— City of Jacksonville (@CityofJax) January 16, 2024
For now, the city of Jacksonville’s Neighborhoods Department, Housing and Community Development Division, will begin vetting applications on the waiting list. This includes confirmation of a home insurance company or code enforcement letter, income and residency verification, and additional criteria.
Applicants who clear the vetting phase will receive a more comprehensive application to complete. Once a completed application is fully approved, it will be sent through the procurement process before roofing work can begin.