Options for Independence is pleased to announce that we are now accepting applicants for the Cayuga County Home Access and Rehabilitation Program (HARP). HARP seeks to address the housing needs of the county's low income, disabled population. The program is a collaborative effort between Cayuga County, Options for Independence and Homsite Development Corporation that provides funding for home modification projects.
The primary goal of HARP is to increase mobility, independence and the quality of life for people with disabilities. To be eligible for HARP funds, housing units must require one or more access modifications #- such as wheelchair ramps or lifts, conversion of tubs to walk-in shower, widening of doorways, etc. #- that will assist a person living there who has a documented disability.
The secondary goal of HARP is to address other code violations contributing to substandard housing conditions in eligible homes. Therefore, the entire home will be inspected to see if other issues need to be addressed #- such as leaking roofs, bad plumbing or electrical problems. To the extent possible, these issues will also be addressed as a part of the project.
To be eligible for HARP funds, the housing unit to be addressed must be owner-occupied. Applicants will need to submit documentation demonstrating ownership interest in the home. A note from a physician documenting the need for access modifications will also be required. Additionally, applicants must submit documentation to verify household income eligibility.
Once all the documentation is in place, Options and Homsite will meet with the applicant at their home to inspect the property and determine the extent of the project and to determine its feasibility. Certain projects may not be doable. For example, a house that sits very close to the sidewalk and has little side yard might not have enough room to allow for a ramp to be constructed.
HARP will pay up to $25,000 per home modification project. However, should a project be more expensive than that, both Options and Homsite have access to other funding programs that can possibly help with additional costs.
Once the feasibility and project scope are established, Homsite draws up a set of plans and specifications that are dated and initialed by the homeowner. Copies of the original plans and specifications are made, a legal notice advising the construction project and soliciting bids is published in The Citizen, and packets are sent to a list of contractors maintained by Homsite. Usually the contractors have about 30 days to view the site. Often a staff member from Homsite will accompany a prospective contractor to answer any questions they might have. After submitting bids, the contractor with the lowest bid is awarded the contract.
Only homes inside Cayuga County but outside the city of Auburn are eligible for HARP funds. However, Options does have funding available from other sources to assist with similar projects within the city.
For an application or for more information on HARP or other home modification programs, call Options for Independence at 255-3447 and ask for Dan Schuster, our ADA/Access Advocate.
Applications are processed on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Amanda Derby is the housing advocate for Options for Independence, located at 75 Genesee St., Auburn.
The secondary goal of HARP is to address other code violations contributing to substandard housing conditions in eligible homes. Therefore, the entire home will be inspected to see if other issues need to be addressed #- such as leaking roofs, bad plumbing or electrical problems. To the extent possible, these issues will also be addressed as a part of the project.
To be eligible for HARP funds, the housing unit to be addressed must be owner-occupied. Applicants will need to submit documentation demonstrating ownership interest in the home. A note from a physician documenting the need for access modifications will also be required. Additionally, applicants must submit documentation to verify household income eligibility.
Once all the documentation is in place, Options and Homsite will meet with the applicant at their home to inspect the property and determine the extent of the project and to determine its feasibility. Certain projects may not be doable. For example, a house that sits very close to the sidewalk and has little side yard might not have enough room to allow for a ramp to be constructed.
HARP will pay up to $25,000 per home modification project. However, should a project be more expensive than that, both Options and Homsite have access to other funding programs that can possibly help with additional costs.
Once the feasibility and project scope are established, Homsite draws up a set of plans and specifications that are dated and initialed by the homeowner. Copies of the original plans and specifications are made, a legal notice advising the construction project and soliciting bids is published in The Citizen, and packets are sent to a list of contractors maintained by Homsite. Usually the contractors have about 30 days to view the site. Often a staff member from Homsite will accompany a prospective contractor to answer any questions they might have. After submitting bids, the contractor with the lowest bid is awarded the contract.
Only homes inside Cayuga County but outside the city of Auburn are eligible for HARP funds. However, Options does have funding available from other sources to assist with similar projects within the city.
For an application or for more information on HARP or other home modification programs, call Options for Independence at 255-3447 and ask for Dan Schuster, our ADA/Access Advocate.
Applications are processed on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Amanda Derby is the housing advocate for Options for Independence, located at 75 Genesee St., Auburn.
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