City offers support to low-income homeowners for home repairs

The City of San Bernardino, in partnership with Neighborhood Partnership Housing Services, (NPHS) is offering financial assistance to eligible low-income homeowners in making essential home repairs and improvements.

The Owner-Occupied Residential Rehabilitation Program (OORP) is a financial assistance initiative that may provide up to $40,000 in forgivable loans to assist with health and safety repairs, structural upgrades, accessibility modifications, and energy efficiency improvements. The goal of the program is to help homeowners maintain safe, habitable, and code-compliant residences while preserving the city’s housing stock and enhancing community sustainability.

To qualify for the program, applicants must own and occupy their home as their primary residence, have a household income at or below 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI), and reside in a single-family home, townhome, or condominium within the City of San Bernardino. Eligible repairs covered by the program include roofing, plumbing, electrical, and HVAC system repairs, foundation stabilization, mold and pest remediation, lead-based paint hazard reduction, and the installation of accessibility features such as wheelchair ramps and grab bars. Additionally, energy-efficient upgrades like insulation, window replacements, and solar panel installations may also be funded.

The financial assistance is structured as a deferred payment loan with a 3% interest rate, requiring no monthly payments unless specific conditions are triggered, such as selling the home, transferring ownership, or refinancing with cash-out. The loan is forgiven over a 10-year period, with 20% of the loan amount forgiven annually starting in year six. By the end of year ten, the full loan amount is forgiven, provided the homeowner continues to meet the program’s conditions.

Homeowners interested in applying for the Owner-Occupied Residential Rehabilitation Program can begin the process by contacting NPHS for an application, submitting required documentation, and scheduling a home inspection to determine eligibility for repairs. Given the limited funding availability, applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis, and homeowners are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

To inquire or apply for this program, please contact an NPHS Home Rehabilitation Specialist at 909-988-5979 or visit nphsinc.org.