Our Housing Programs are designed to create an improve housing opportunities for all people at all stages of life. Whether you are a first time home buyer, in the process of a home rehabilitation or repair project, or working on lead paint removal, we are here to help.
Home Investment Program
The HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) provides formula grants to fund a wide range of activities that build, buy and/or rehabilitate affordable housing for rent or home-ownership or provide direct rental assistance to low-income people through the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
In many cases, these loans take the form of zero interest deferred loans for home repair projects, with a focus of improving living conditions for low and moderate income homeowners in Lowell. This program also provides technical assistance to eligible homeowners who ordinarily would not be able to make needed repairs to their homes.
The City of Lowell must also ensure that HOME-funded housing units remain affordable in the long term (20 years for new construction of rental housing; 5-15 years for construction of home-ownership housing and housing rehabilitation, depending on the amount of HOME subsidy). Lowell has two years to commit funds (including reserving funds for CHDOs [Community Housing Development Organization]) and five years to spend funds.
The City of Lowell must match every dollar of HOME funds used (except for administrative costs) with 25 cents from non-federal sources, which may include donated materials or labor, the value of donated property, proceeds from bond financing, and other resources.
