Home Help Applications Available December 8 in St. Peters

Applications for the 2009 Home Help Program will be available in St. Peters from Dec. 8 through Jan. 5.

Through the program, low- to moderate-income St. Peters residents may apply for no-interest, five-year forgivable loans to help with home rehabilitation projects. Eligible applicants can receive up to $5,000 .

An eligible homeowner must address any exterior code or safety issues first, including rotten wood, peeling paint, unsafe decks or stairs and badly cracked driveways. Other eligible improvements may include roof repair or replacement, plumbing repairs, exterior paint or siding, new windows, energy efficiency improvements, air conditioners, furnaces or hot water heater repairs or replacements.

Applicants must be homeowners and have lived within the city limits of St. Peters for at least one year. They must not have participated in the program previously, and their real estate and personal property taxes must be paid up to date. The property must not be located in a flood zone.

Income limits for eligibility are established by HUD are defined as having maximum income levels as follows on your 2007 federal tax return:

Low-Income Limits                    Moderate-Income Limits
Persons In     Maximum                Persons In   Maximum
Household       Income                  Household      Income
1             $ 23,050                       1          $36,900
2             $ 26,350                       2          $42,200
3             $ 29,650                       3          $47,450
4             $ 32,950                       4          $52,700
5             $ 35,600                       5          $56,950
6             $ 38,200                       6          $61,150
7             $ 40,850                       7          $65,350
8             $ 43,500                       8          $69,600

Proposed funding for the program covers 25 spots, 10 for those meeting low-income qualifications and the rest for those with low or moderate incomes.

Beginning Dec. 8, 2008, applications will be available at St. Peters City Hall, on the City Web page under CDBG Programs and Home Help Program or you may request that an application be mailed to you by leaving your name, address & phone number at extension 279 at 636-278-2244 or 636-477-6600.

The 2009 Home Help Program will be set up as a random lottery so each application will be assigned a number when submitted and then entered into a random drawing. The lottery drawing will be held at St. Peters City Hall on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2009 at 9 a.m.