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http://www.omniture.com --> Sections Home Page Local News AP News Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Photo Gallery Readers Photo Gallery Sports Tempo Weather Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Distinctly Northwest Readers' Choice Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Holiday Guide Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Moving Here Movie Listings TV Listings Volunteer Customer Service Advertise With Us Media Kit Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map --> Email Story to a Friend January 20, 2007 Low-cost loans help with home repairs Program helps low-income Jackson County residents with much-needed maintenance By Buffy Pollock for the Mail Tribune When she bought her home 10 years ago, Talent resident Lisa Garrett was simply happy to finally consider herself among the ranks of Rogue Valley homeowners. Over time, juggling a monthly payment and other bills, the single mother found little money leftover for maintenance and needed repairs. Home Sweet Home turned into a leaky roof, flooding issues and inadequate heating. Thanks to a program offering no interest loans through the Housing Authority of Jackson County, Garrett had central heating and air-conditioning installed, remedied a kitchen flooding issue and is in the process of replacing old windows. "I had the little baseboards (heaters) that are real expensive to run and not too safe. I started taking them out when I was redoing the floors. I figured if I ever wanted to sell, nobody would buy it without heat," Garrett said. "The bottom line is it's really hard to afford to do the repairs while you're paying for your home. And even if you could save your money to buy these products, you probably couldn't afford to do it and still make your house payment." Funded through a community block grant, the Housing Rehabilitation Loan Program offers no-interest, deferred loans to low- to moderate-income homeowners. Advertisement In addition to needed repairs, such as roof replacements and electrical work, housing rehabilitation specialist Linda Reid said program coordinators are trying to spread the word that wood stoves and antiquated heat systems can be replaced with modern alternatives. With increasingly stringent air quality standards from the DEQ, most cities in the Rogue Valley have adopted ordinances requiring uncertified wood stoves be swapped for cleaner-burning certified devices when properties are sold. The housing authority program goes a step further by replacing wood stoves altogether. An all-encompassing approach for the past two decades, Reid said, "we would go to change out a wood stove for a heating system and would find we could help with bad roofs and dry rot and other repairs." Loans through the program, up to $25,000 each, can be used for a range of home repairs from replacing leaky roofs and outdated wiring to repairing sewer and water lines or providing handicap access. Loans are repaid without interest when the borrower sells, transfers or refinances the home. An added plus, repairs made on most homes increase home value by as much or more than the loan amount. Talent resident Michael Koester, who recently managed a host of repairs on fiancé Susan Fay's home under the rehab program, said the property had suffered years of deferred maintenance. "The hazards in the house were pretty substantial. She needed new water lines and electrical. There were sewer lines broken in the yard, you name it," Koester said. After approval through the county program, and a small loan for added improvements, Koester said the house is drastically improved. "It's a great program and, without it, she would have never been able to do this on the income she has," he noted. "Housing prices are so astronomical in the valley, what would have happened is she would have been forced to sell it. This is one of those things that actually help people on the base of the (income) pyramid for once." As the program nears the end of a funding cycle, Reid said program coordinators hope to increase interest in the program to ensure future funding and to improve county air quality by making a dent in the number of remaining wood stoves. Program eligibility is based on proof of home ownership and income guidelines determined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. A Jackson County household of one, for example, can earn up to $29,200 while a family of four can earn up to $41,700. For details or to request an application, contact the housing authority at 779-5785, Ext. 1009. Buffy Pollock is a freelance writer living in Medford. E-mail her at [email protected]. Would you like to respond to this story? If so Click Here to visit our forums. 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