Housing Rehabilitation Program

This program is designed to provide an incentive for property owners to improve the existing housing stock and to create and maintain affordable rental units. Funding is offered in the form of 0% interest, deferred payment loans, payable when the property is sold or transferred. The program can assist property owners with a wide range of repairs & improvements, both interior and exterior, such as:

• Plumbing
• Electrical
• Floors
• Cabinets
• Roofs
• Porches
• Windows
• Painting
• Preservation of Exterior Historic Detail

The federal government (HUD) provides funding for this program, and it is administered by the City of Somerville, Mayor's Office of Strategic Planning & Community Development (OSPCD). Income and rental restrictions may apply.

Eligibility for the program is based on total household income and household size.

Maximum Household Income

        1 person - $46,300
        2 person - $52,950
        3 person - $59,550
        4 person - $66,150
        5 person - $71,450
        6 person - $76,750

If you are interested in our program, please call or email (Walter Whitney 617-625-6600 Ext 2569) WWhitney@somervillema.gov to request an application

Rental Agreements: As a condition of receiving funds from OSPCD, an owner of a property containing one or more rental units, may be required to enter into specific rental agreements for the term of the loan. (See Rent Limit Chart below)

Rent Limits (NO Utilities Included in Rent)
FMR	(Fair Market Rent)
SRO	$733.00
0 BDRM	$977.00
1 BDRM	$1,010.00
2 BDRM	$1,166.00
3 BDRM	$1,387.00
4 BDRM	$1,499.00
5 BDRM	$1,731.00
6 BDRM	$1,999.00

Summary of process

• Application: Property owner and tenant(s) (if applicable) complete application.  Our office will gather ownership, income and other relevant data to determine eligibility.
• Lead Inspection: Our office provides a list of licensed lead inspectors. Owners contracts for inspection and submits copy to our office. Our office may reimburse inspection cost.
• Property Inspection: Our office will conduct a comprehensive property evaluation to determine the scope and cost of work required.
• Homeowner Meeting: Project manager and property owner will meet to finalize the scope of work and initial funding options.
• Bids: The owner will have a specified timeframe to obtain bids and submit to our office. The project manager will review the bids for completeness and comparability.  Our office will produce Owner/Contractor Agreement and owner will obtain signatures and return form to our office.
• Loan Closing: Our office will produce documents and schedule a loan closing with the owner.  The owner is responsible to pay all recording fees to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. 
• Work In Progress: The owner will notify our office when work begins.  Our office will monitor the progress of the work and provide technical guidance. Our office will manage the payment process and obtain all required signatures and approvals for payment.
• Final Inspection:  Our office will perform final inspection with owner to ensure that all contracted work is complete.
• Case Close Out: Our office will produce close out documents and request that owner evaluate contractor performance and materials.

For more information about our program, please contact our office at 617-625-6600 ext. 2569.