�
Saratoga Home Improvement Program
Administered By:
Flatley Read, LLC
12 Spring Street, Suite 203 1-E
518-279-7662
Dear Homeowner:
Thank you for your interest in the Saratoga Home Improvement Program.� Enclosed are the program guidelines and application form.
To start the application process quickly and efficiently, fill out and return the application along with income information and ownership verification.�
- a signed copy of the two most recent Federal Income Tax Form
- a copy of four most recent W-2 statement from an employer regarding wages
- bank statements concerning interest income
- copy of award letter concerning Social Security, disability, workers� compensation, VA or retirement pension, unemployment insurance, etc.
- proof of paid property taxes
- copy of deed
- Proof of Homeowners insurance.
Please note that your
application is not complete without proof of all applicable income sources.� Incomplete applications will not be
processed, thereby risking the opportunity for a grant.
The rest of the application process is explained in detail in the program guidelines.� Please feel free to contact us at 279-7662 with any questions.
Sincerely,
Michelle Read DeGarmo
Town of Saratoga Home Program
Saratoga Home Improvement Program
Application
Applicant Information
Name of Property Owner___________________________________________________
Address of Property_______________________________________________________
Mailing Address if different from
above:______________________________________
Tax Parcel Number (found on property or school tax statement)� ______-______-______
Phone: Home_________________� Work________________� Cell__________________
Email Address____________________________________________________________
How long have you:�� Owned the property______���� Resided at this address______
Number of dwelling units_____������ Approximate age of structure_____
Household size:���� Adults_____���� Dependant Children_____�
Is anyone in the household over 62 years of age:�� YES� /� NO����� Disabled:��� YES� /� NO
Head of Household:� MALE� /� FEMALE
The following information is obtained
for statistical purposes only.� Minority group
data will not be considered in determining the applicant�s eligibility for
assistance.
Applicant is (circle one):�
Caucasian���� African American���� Native American���� Hispanic���� Asian���� Other��
Income eligibility guidelines are based on 80% of the Area Median Income and household size.� The current income limits are:
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Total Residents in Applicant Household |
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1 Person |
2 Persons |
3 Persons |
4 Persons |
5 Persons |
6 Persons |
7 Persons |
8 Persons |
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Annual Income: |
$45,950 |
$52,500 |
$59,050 |
$65,600 |
$70,850 |
$76,100 |
$81,350 |
$86,600 |
What is your total household income: $__________________
Program Verification
Please attach copies of the following (as applicable):
Please note that your application is not complete without proof of all applicable income sources.� Incomplete applications may not be processed, thereby risking the opportunity for a grant.
Are there any back taxes (school, Town, county, etc.) due on the property:�� YES� /� NO
Are there any outstanding mortgages or liens against the property:��� YES� /� NO
If yes, name of Mortgage Holder:____________________________________________
Have you previously received any state or federal home improvement assistance (such as Weatherization or a HOME Program):��� YES� /� NO
Certification and Authorization
I hereby certify that I have read and understand the program guidelines.
All the information I have given in this application is true and correct.� I understand that the Town of Saratoga will confirm the information and retain the application whether or not the application is approved.� I hereby authorize the Town of Saratoga or its representative to verify all information as a condition of this application.
______________________________________________��� ����� _____________________
Applicant Signature��������������������������������������������������������������� ���� �Date
______________________________________________��� ����� _____________________
Co-Applicant Signature��������������������������������������������������������� ����� Date
Note to Applicant: Signing this application form in no way obligates you to participate in this program.� Your signature is required only to verify your interest in the program.� Participation in this program is contingent upon funding availability and applicant eligibility.� Submitting an application does not guarantee a grant award.
Please list the work you would like to have performed at your house. There is no guarantee that the work listed will be eligible for grant funds. Grant amounts will vary for each household, depending on the scope of work.� The scope of work is determined solely by the Rehabilitation Specialist, in accordance with Program Guidelines.
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Please be aware that the Town must prioritize health and safety, energy efficiency and accessibility issues.
Return Completed Application To:
Flatley Read, LLC
12 Spring Street, Suite 203 1-E
518-279-7662
Program
Guidelines
The Town of Saratoga has been awarded a Home Improvement Program from the NYS Affordable Housing Corporation.� Under this grant, the Town is able to fund the rehabilitation of 11 single family, owner occupied homes located within Town of Saratoga.
1. Applicants must own, occupy, and have title to a single family residential property.
2. The property must be located within the Town of Saratoga.
3. The property must be used entirely for residential purposes and in compliance with local zoning regulations.
4. Applicants must be up to date with all taxes on their property.
5. If the property is mortgaged, applicants must be up to date on payments.
6. The property must have current homeowners insurance.
7. Household income must be under 80% of HUD�s median income.
8. Property value cannot exceed HUD published area limits.
Total gross household income will be used to determine eligibility.� Adjustments may be made for income which has been discontinued, or any new income expected to be received.
The area median income levels and
property value limits are determined each year by the Department of Housing and
Urban Renewal (HUD).�
�
Please note that your application is not complete
without proof of all applicable income sources. Incomplete applications will
not be processed, thereby risking the opportunity for a grant.
Penalty for false or fraudulent statements: U.S.C.
Title 18 Sec. 1001, provides: �Whoever, in any manner within the jurisdiction
of any department or agency of the United States knowingly and willfully
falsifies or makes any false, fictitious or fraudulent statements or
representations or makes or uses any false writing or documents knowing the
same to contain any false, fictitious or fraudulent statement or entry,
shall be fined not more than $10,000 or imprisoned not more than five years
or both�.
Since this grant program is intended to substantially improve and stabilize existing
�Each rehabilitation project will give priority to correct structural defects and to improve the health, safety and energy efficiency of the home.� The following is a list of rehabilitation activities and their priority*:
- Roof
- Frame
- Unsafe landings, stairways, porches, flooring
- Smoke detectors (required)
- Electrical�������������������������������������������������������������������������� -� Paint, siding
- Plumbing�������������������������������������������������������������������������� -� Interior floor, ceiling, wall finishes
- Heating���������������������������������������������������������������������������� -� Sidewalks
- Storm windows, doors����������������������������������������������������� -� Kitchen/bath plumbing fixtures
- Insulation
- Accessibility improvements��������������������������������������������� -� Interior remodeling
- Window repair
- General roof/gutter/porch repair
- No portable or non-essential luxury items may be purchased: furniture, carpeting, etc.
- No appliances may be purchased: stoves, refrigerators, etc.
- No work may be performed on any outside buildings: sheds, garages, etc.
- No landscaping or blacktop driveways, fences, swimming pools, etc.
1. Having read and understood these guidelines, the applicant must submit a completed application to Flatley Read, LLC, consultant for the Saratoga Home Improvement Program.� Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until all grant funds have been expended.
2. All complete applications for properties will be reviewed based on the following criteria:
-
Priority will be given
to properties in need of Structural Repairs (Priority A, see Eligible
Activities section of these guidelines).�
The Rehabilitation Specialist will arrange an on-site inspection
of properties that meet basic eligibility requirements.�
- If, under the determination of the Rehabilitation Specialist the full amount of grant monies would not bring the structure to basic habitability standards, the grant may be denied, regardless of previous eligibility.
3.���� Applicants whose properties are chosen
will be contacted by phone and mail.�
APPLICANTS WILL NOT BE CHOSEN ON A FIRST COME, FIRST
SERVED BASIS.� FILING
AN APPLICATION DOES NOT GUARANTEE THAT THE APPLICANT WILL RECEIVE A GRANT.
1. Once approved for a grant, the Rehabilitation Specialist will conduct a site visit to determine the scope of work that may be funded with grant funds. The Rehabilitation Specialist will then prepare a detailed work write-up documenting the proposed improvements and cost estimate for the rehabilitation project.
2. When the work write up of activities eligible for grant funding is complete, the homeowner will review and sign the work write up, indicating acceptance of funding under the terms described in these guidelines.
3. Once repairs are approved, the Rehabilitation Specialist will prepare a bid packet for approved contractors, and obtain written estimates from at least three contractors.� Under most circumstances, the contract will be awarded to the lowest bidding contractor unless the Rehabilitation Specialist determines that selection of a higher bidding contractor is reasonable and appropriate.� No work may be done by the homeowner as a contractor under this grant program.
4. The Town of Saratoga and Flatley Read, LLC are in no way connected with, nor do they endorse, any contractor, subcontractor or supplier involved in home improvement activities.� Property owners may request the list of approved contractors who are currently eligible to perform work for the Home Improvement Program.� Contractors who wish to bid on the work write up must provide proof of compliance with all program guidelines.�
5. Once the contractor is chosen, the property owner and contractor will sign a Construction Agreement and work may begin.� All rehabilitation work must be completed within 90 days from signing of the owner-contractor agreement, subject to extension by the Rehabilitation Specialist upon justifiable circumstance.
6. All contracts for rehabilitation improvements are between the property owner and the contractor.� The Town of Saratoga and Flatley Read, LLC are not responsible or liable for any breach of contract, faulty workmanship, damage or other cause of action which may arise from the relationship between a property owner and the contractor.
7. The contractor may submit an invoice for partial reimbursement when 50% of the project is completed, and a final voucher when the project is 100% complete.� Only reimbursement requests for work completed will be considered.� The homeowner will need to sign-off on work completed before payment will be made to the contractor.
8. Applicants using private financing, home improvement loans or mortgages to perform additional work on their homes will use these monies first, prior to entering into a grant agreement.� Any grant award will be used only for completion of a project deemed acceptable under program guidelines.
9. All homeowners will be required to sign a Note & Mortgage prior to the beginning of rehabilitation work and again at completion of work.
10. Repayment of this grant is not required if the homeowner resides in the property ten years after the project completion. However, if the property is sold within ten years of grant award, the property owner must repay the balance based on the Prorated payment schedule incorporated into the Note & Mortgage. After ten years, the occupancy requirements have been satisfied and there will be no penalty for sale of the property.� This is to ensure that the work performed under our program will benefit a homeowner within the specified income limits.
11. A Note & Mortgage will be filed with the County Clerk to secure the grant amount.