
Critical Home Repair Program
Please note: Due to a surge in applications and increased material costs, we have had to adjust our repair program for the time being. At this time, we are only able to assist with water heater and furnace repairs and replacements. We are hoping to open our application up to all critical home repairs later this fall.
We apologize for any inconvenience.
Information about our Critical Home Repair program, along with a link to the application, is below. You can also pick up an application by stopping by the ReStore at 251 W. Prospect in Jackson. Once your application is complete and supporting documents are collected, please call us at 517-784-6620 ext 4 to schedule an appointment to turn it in. Our ReStore employees are not allowed to accept dropped off documents. You can also mail in your application to Greater Jackson Habitat for Humanity, 251 W. Prospect St., Jackson, MI 49203.
If you are a new applicant or are looking for information about the program, the quickest way to get questions answered is to send an email to alexc@jacksonhabitat.org.
Greater Jackson Habitat for Humanity helps homeowners with limited financial resources restore and maintain their homes by providing opportunities for affordable home repairs.
Greater Jackson Habitat for Humanity’s (GJHFH) Critical Home Repair program provides low income homeowners (less than 60% area median income for household size) in Jackson county with assistance for repairs to their home they wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford.
This program offers affordable home repairs such as:
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Roof repair/replacement
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Electrical
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Plumbing
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Water heaters
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Furnaces
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Windows
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Siding
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Insulation
Qualified Homeowners:
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Own & occupy a home in Jackson County needing repairs (no rental properties)
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Mobile homes may qualify for mechanical repairs only and only if the home is on its own land (no mobile home parks)
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Land contracts may be considered under specific circumstances:
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Land contract recorded at least two years prior to date of application
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Copy of recorded land contract sale must be turned in at time of application
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Land contract holder (seller) acknowledges and consents to the repairs
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Have household income at or below 60% of Jackson County median family income (see first chart below)
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Are up-to-date on property taxes and mortgage payments (if any)
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Have homeowner’s insurance unless repairs needed are the reason you’re unable to get insurance
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If the home is not insured due to requested repairs, we may be willing to communicate with your insurance company to attempt to restore the insurance contingent upon the repair being done.
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Homeowner must agree to pay back all or a portion of the value of the cost of repairs based on a sliding scale (see second chart below) with a zero-interest loan.
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Homeowners will sign a promissory note agreeing to payments and terms; monthly payment for this loan will be no more than 30% of the household income and will create a total debt to income ratio of no more than 45%.
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Maximum repair cost per home is not to exceed $7,000 unless the project includes roof replacement. If roof replacement is included in the repair project, the maximum repair cost can be up to $12,000.
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Homes larger than 2,000 sq. ft. do not qualify for this program.
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Mechanics liens may be placed on the title for repairs exceeding $5,000.
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Homeowner will sign a homeowner agreement stating they agree to the scope of work, cost, and any other items discussed during planning, including participating in ‘sweat equity’ of 8 hours per $1,000 in repairs.
Family Size | Maximum Monthly Income (60% AMI) |
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1 | $2,540 |
2 | $2,900 |
3 | $3265 |
4 | $3625 |
5 | $3915 |
6 | $4205 |
7 | $4495 |
8 | $4785 |
Affordable Loan Repayment
We are committed to providing housing solutions that are affordable. To build a spirit of partnership and sustainability, our repair program features modest repayment requirements.
Repairs are repaid according to their value with a 0% interest loan through GJHFH. Homeowners are required to pay the total or a percentage of the projected total cost for the project, depending on income.
All repayment funds are recycled and used to assist future homeowners in need of repairs.
Income Percent of AMI | Portion to Pay Back |
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60% | 80% |
50% | 70% |
40% | 60% |
30% | 50% |
20% | 40% |
10% | 30% |
Sweat Equity
Sweat equity is a core tenet of Habitat’s ministry and is Habitat’s most valuable tool in building the partnership among families, affiliate staff and volunteers. The number of sweat equity hours is based on the scope of the project, with a minimum of eight hours. Sweat equity can include:
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Work alongside the volunteers and staff of GJHFH on the homeowner’s own home
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Providing snacks or meals to volunteers while on the job
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Volunteer work at ReStore and/or in the office of GJHFH
Frequently Asked Questions
Visit our FAQ page to see our most commonly asked questions or call us at (517) 784-6620.