Home Repair Program
Austin Habitat for Humanity’s Home Repair Program fills an important need of alleviating substandard living conditions for people living in high poverty. This program typically serves seniors and people with disabilities – often in historic neighborhoods – who have limited resources to complete the repairs themselves.
Austin Habitat utilizes the nationally recognized Green and Healthy Home Initiative to provide a holistic, whole-house approach to critical repairs and to prioritize repairs based on the highest impact for clients. This program is not meant for cosmetic changes – it is meant to improve the safety, accessibility, and health of you and your home.
Available Repairs:
This program serves homes that are free-standing, single family homes (not a duplex, condo, trailer, or mobile home) within Travis, Bastrop, and Hays Counties. The home must be owner-occupied and more than 10 years old. Repair examples include:
- Installing ADA ramps/grab-bars
- Widening doorways
- Bathroom modifications
- Replacing deteriorating roofs
- Diminishing common causes of asthma including cockroach infestation, dust mites in old carpeting, mold, and air pollution
- Replacing old windows
- Upgrading electrical
- Drywall and flooring repair
- Structural carpentry relating to structural integrity
- Plumbing
- Heating & cooling
- Exterior siding
Homeowner Selection Criteria
- Need:
- Home must be in sub-standard condition in regards to structural deficiency, safety, or weatherization concerns.
- Homeowner must provide proof their yearly income is less than 60% MFI for their household size. Use the chart below to see the income limits for your household size.
- Annual Income limits
- 1 person- $34,200
- 2 people- $39,500
- 3 people- $43,500
- 4 people- $48,850
- 5 people- $52,750
- 6 people- $56,650
- Annual Income limits
- Ability to Pay:
- The mandatory $150 program fee covers the cost of a criminal background check, application processing, and in-home construction assessment.
- Ownership of the home must be stable.
- You must not be in danger of bankruptcy, being condemned, foreclosure, or more than 2 months behind on your mortgage payments.
- Bank statements must reflect sound financial stability.
- Applicant is current on all property taxes.
- Must have full homeowners insurance or willingness to acquire.
- Willingess to Partner:
- Submitting required documents in a timely manner.
- Accommodating site assessments.
- Assisting with repairs to the best of your abilities.
- Participating in program evaluation.
- Allowing Austin Habitat to share your story with sponsors and volunteers.
Austin Habitat occasionally receives funding to make critical repairs specifically for veterans/veteran families. In this case, Austin Habitat can move veterans to the top of the waitlist. Veteran household must meet the homeowner selection criteria in addition to showing proof the veteran has an honorable or general discharge. If a veteran resides in your household, and your household meets the criteria, you may qualify for the Home Repair Program. Please contact the Austin Habitat office today to get your application started.
