Home Repair Services
STARline
Home Repair Services
Fulton County offers TWO home repair and rehabilitation opportunities for residents, the Department of Senior Services Minor Home Repair Program and the Community Development Minor Home Repair Program for low to very low income homeowners.
DEPARTMENT OF SENIOR SERVICES MINOR HOME REPAIR PROGRAM
This program provides home repair services with the goal to keep seniors in their homes. There is a waiting list for this service. It may take up to 30-45 days before the contractor makes an appointment.
The repairs focus on health and safety. Repairs listed below are examples of work that may be approved:
- Structural issues: ceiling, wall, floors, doors, windows and sealants to protect from deterioration and security modification.
- Accessibility modification: installation of thresholds, ramps, zero step doorways, repair and installation of grab bars.
- Plumbing: replacement of fixtures such as tub, shower, bathroom sink, or toilet.
- Weatherization: installing storm doors, insulation, servicing heating and cooling units, and minor roof repairs.
- Home and Exterior maintenance: removal of safety hazards, such as yard debris, fallen limbs, overgrown vegetation and replacement of window panes.
- Qualifications: Seniors must be 55-years-old and above, own their own home, and have proof of homeowners insurance and live in Fulton County. There is no cost for this service
For more information, please contact the STARLine.
Home Repair Services
WHAT FULTON COUNTY DEPARTMENT PROVIDES HOME REPAIR SERVICES?
In the past, Fulton County administered home repair services out of two departments, the Department of Senior Services, and the Department of Community Development. To streamline this process and better serve constituents, the two programs have merged under one umbrella, The Fulton County Home Rehabilitation Program (HRP). All home repairs are now administered by the Department of Community Development, under the Fulton County Home Rehabilitation Program (HRP).
WHO IS THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT?
The Fulton County Department of Community Development administers programs that strengthen people, families, and communities through partnerships with various community organizations and outreach programs. Our partners include organizations that are non-profit, private sector, government, volunteer, and citizen advocates.
WHO IS MEALS ON WHEELS ATLANTA?
Fulton County has partnered with Meals On Wheels Atlanta (MOWA) to deliver home repair services. MOWA is a non-profit agency that offers a lifeline of services to the most underserved and most vulnerable demographics in Atlanta. MOWA has more than 20 years of experience providing home repair services for seniors, veterans, and low-income single-family homeowners within the metro Atlanta area.
WHAT IS MEALS ON WHEELS ATLANTA RESPONSIBLE FOR?
MOWA serves as the primary point of contact for the HRP, responsible for all day-to -day activities to include (but not limited to), determining eligibility, conducting inspections, and overseeing repair work.
WHAT TYPE OF HOMES ARE ELIGIBLE FOR THE HOME REHABILITATION PROGRAM?
Owner occupied, single-family detached dwellings; Mobile homes are not eligible.
HOW DO I QUALIFY?
1.Must be a Fulton County resident:
2. Must meet the federal income limits criteria
3. Must occupy the property being repaired as his/her principal residence
4. The applicant’s name must appear on the deed
5. Must have a clean title
6. Must be current on property taxes
7. Cannot have received funds from a Fulton County home repair program within the past 5 years.
2. Must meet the federal income limits criteria
3. Must occupy the property being repaired as his/her principal residence
4. The applicant’s name must appear on the deed
5. Must have a clean title
6. Must be current on property taxes
7. Cannot have received funds from a Fulton County home repair program within the past 5 years.
WHAT ARE THE HRP INCOME LIMITS AND WHO SETS THEM?
HUD determines the income limits. The chart below outlines the income limits (based on family size) for the Fulton County Home Rehabilitation Program. Income is based on all household members who are 18 years or older.
WHAT REPAIRS ARE ELIGIBLE UNDER THE HRP?
Eligible repairs are prioritized to address issues pertaining to 1) Health and Life Safety 2) Modifications consistent with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements 3) Code Violations (cited or not)
IS THERE ANY WORK THAT CAN’T BE DONE UNDER THE HRP?
We can repair or replace most of the basic elements of your home provided the repair is related to your health and safety. Luxury items to include (but not limited to) dishwashers, skylights, Jacuzzi tubs, swimming pools, fences, decks, landscaping, sheds, driveway repair (except as part of an eligible accessibility activity for ingress/egress to the home), garages or other detached structures and built-in barbeques cannot be included in the project. We typically don’t move walls, except for handicap accessibility, and there are strict limitations on building room additions.
Additionally, we cannot address emergency repairs due to inclement weather, natural disaster, or repairs where the occupants continued immediate near future would be jeopardized by a delay in a cure. For emergency repairs please contact your insurance company or an independent contractor.
Additionally, we cannot address emergency repairs due to inclement weather, natural disaster, or repairs where the occupants continued immediate near future would be jeopardized by a delay in a cure. For emergency repairs please contact your insurance company or an independent contractor.
WHO DETERMINES WHAT WORK CAN BE DONE?
You should make a list of items to discuss with us. We will meet with you, discuss your needs and the requirements, review the condition of your home, and provide you with a proposed scope of work.
WHAT DOCUMENTS AM I REQUIRED TO SUBMIT WITH THE HRP APPLICATION?
Copies of the following documents must be submitted with all applications:
1)Government-issued photo identification for all residents age 18+ living in the home (this can be a state-issued ID or a US passport)
2) Social Security cards for all residents age 18+ living in the home
3) Signed copies of the most recent 1040 Income Tax Returns and W-2 Forms filed (for all persons in the household who filed a tax return). If self-employed, include 1099’s and all IRS schedules for all persons in the household.
4) Copy of the last 2 months’ paycheck stubs for all wage earners in the household. If self‐employed, please submit a tax return for your business/company.
5) Copy of Social Security Benefit Letter (if applicable) for everyone in the household receiving social security benefits.
6) Proof of any other income for all household members 18 years of age or older (Example: TANF, food stamps, child support, pensions, annuities, social security, railroad retirement, any other retirement income, etc.).
7) If you receive unemployment compensation, please submit a determination letter or latest check stub.
8) Most recent mortgage statement.
9) Most recent real estate tax bill.
10) Warranty Deed/Security Deed.
11) Proof of Homeowner's Liability Insurance showing amount of current coverage. If your property is in a flood plain, you are required to submit proof of flood insurance.
Note: additional documents may be required to establish eligibility.
1)Government-issued photo identification for all residents age 18+ living in the home (this can be a state-issued ID or a US passport)
2) Social Security cards for all residents age 18+ living in the home
3) Signed copies of the most recent 1040 Income Tax Returns and W-2 Forms filed (for all persons in the household who filed a tax return). If self-employed, include 1099’s and all IRS schedules for all persons in the household.
4) Copy of the last 2 months’ paycheck stubs for all wage earners in the household. If self‐employed, please submit a tax return for your business/company.
5) Copy of Social Security Benefit Letter (if applicable) for everyone in the household receiving social security benefits.
6) Proof of any other income for all household members 18 years of age or older (Example: TANF, food stamps, child support, pensions, annuities, social security, railroad retirement, any other retirement income, etc.).
7) If you receive unemployment compensation, please submit a determination letter or latest check stub.
8) Most recent mortgage statement.
9) Most recent real estate tax bill.
10) Warranty Deed/Security Deed.
11) Proof of Homeowner's Liability Insurance showing amount of current coverage. If your property is in a flood plain, you are required to submit proof of flood insurance.
Note: additional documents may be required to establish eligibility.
ARE THERE ANY OUT-OF-POCKET EXPENSES FOR THE HOMEOWNER?
No. Qualified homeowners do not pay any money out-of-pocket for the application process or for the repairs completed to their home under the program.
I AM ALREADY ON A FULTON COUNTY WAITING LIST FOR HOME REPAIR SERVICES. WHAT IS MY CURRENT STATUS?
Meals on Wheels (MOWA) has the waiting lists that were being maintained by both Fulton County programs (Community Development and Senior Services). The MOWA home repair team will contact you regarding next steps.
AM I REQUIRED TO RE-SUBMIT ELIGIBILTY DOCUMENTS IF I PREVIOUSLY SUBMITTED THEM?
Applicants may be required to resubmit documents for the following reasons:
1. Eligibility documents must be updated every 6 months.
2. To adhere to the eligibility requirements under the new program.
3. The process cannot begin until all required documents are received by the program
1. Eligibility documents must be updated every 6 months.
2. To adhere to the eligibility requirements under the new program.
3. The process cannot begin until all required documents are received by the program
IF I RECEIVE HOME REPAIRS THROUGH THIS PROGRAM, WILL A LIEN BE PLACED ON MY PROPERTY?
A deferred payment loan will be issued for projects over $25,000. This is a grant, structured as a loan that is forgiven over a period of years depending on the type of work done, so long as the owner(s) continue to live in and own the home and abide by the requirements of the Housing Rehabilitation Program. It only becomes a loan if the owner(s) no longer live in and own the home or maintain the requirements of the agreement for the use of Grant Funds. Should the homeowner sell the property during this 5-year period, Fulton County will issue immediate demand for re-payment of the loan.
HOW OFTEN CAN I APPLY FOR ASSISTANCE WITH THE HOME REHABILIATION PROGRAM?
Applicants may only receive assistance once within a five-year period.
WHAT DO I DO FIRST?
The first step is to determine if you are eligible to participate in the HRP by completing the Pre-Screening questionnaire at ….
IF I AM APPROVED, HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO GET THE REPAIRS DONE?
That depends on the complexity of the project. The usual time frame is five or six months. Some projects go more quickly.
IF MY APPLICATION IS APPROVED, DOES THAT MEAN YOU CAN START WORK RIGHT AWAY?
No. Approval is not an authorization to begin work. An initial inspection must be performed to determine if the ‘Scope of Work’ being requested by the homeowner meets program requirements. This process typically takes place within a few weeks of the app