| HOUSING REPAIR PROGRAMS
The Planning and Redevelopment Division offers several housing rehabilitation programs to Rock Island residents. Deferred and repayable loan programs are funded through the Community Development Block Grant Program. Eligibility depends on an applicant’s income, family size, and the availability of funds. Waiting lists exist for some programs. The City offers Emergency Loans, Roof Loans, Targeted Loans, Downtown TIF Upper Story Housing Loans, Lead Healthy Home Loans, and Rental Property Improvement Loans.
Emergency Loans
This program is for emergency repairs to qualified owner-occupied properties. The following may qualify for emergency repairs:
- Water or sewer line breaks
- Faulty furnaces
- Electrical service
- Disabled exterior accessibility
- Other (call to inquire)
The loan amount is dependent on the nature and cost of the repair. Interest rates range from 0% to 3% for a five-year maximum term. Applications are available year-round. Click here for information on how to apply, how to qualify and income guidelines.
Roof Loans
The roof loan program is for qualified owner-occupied properties. The loan amount is a maximum of $6,000 at either 0% or 3% interest for a maximum five year term. Applications are available year round on a first come, first served basis. Click here for information on how to apply, how to qualify and income guidelines.
Targeted Loans
The Targeted Rehabilitation Loan is for limited repairs to qualified owner-occupied and or investor-owned properties. The following may be replaced or improved:
- Garages: repair or replacement, including demolition, if the structure has a blighting influence in the neighborhood.
- Roofs: house and / or garage
- Gutters: house and / or garage
- Sidewalks: public or private sidewalk (loan can be used as owner share of City of Rock Island 50/50 public sidewalk program)
- Tree Removal: private property and / or public right-of-way
Loan amount is maximum of $5,000 at a 3% interest rate for a maximum of five years. Some of the loan is forgivable (grant) for very low-income families. There is a sliding scale for loan repayment amounts based on household size and income. Click here for information on how to apply, how to qualify and income guidelines.
Downtown TIF Upper Story Housing Loan Program
A portion of the Downtown TIF (link to TIF map) is used to create new housing by renovating the upper stories of downtown buildings. Historically, upper floors of many buildings were used as apartments. Over the years, this space has been converted to nonresidential use or abandoned. With the resurgence in interest in downtown housing, the City created the Downtown TIF program in 2003. Click here to find out about eligible loan uses, loan structure, development agreement, and how to qualify.
Lead Healthy Homes Grant Program
The Healthy Homes program is a collaborative effort headed by the City of Moline in partnership with the City of Rock Island, Project NOW, Rock Island Economic Growth Corporation and the Rock Island County Health Department dedicated to reducing lead hazards in 140 homes over the next three years. The program is funded by a $2.1 million grant through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. It is enhanced with over $2 million in additional leverage and matching funds.
The Healthy Homes program will work in targeted areas in the City of Rock Island and the City of Moline to combine lead hazard reduction techniques with other rehabilitation work. Census tracts have been targeted in both Moline and Rock Island for lead hazard reduction work, due to the prevalence of lead-poisoned children living in these areas.
Learn more about the program and lead hazards by clicking on the links below:
Rental Property Improvement Program
This program makes loans available to rental property owners to eliminate building and property maintenance code violations and make other system repairs or replacement.
Loan amount is maximum of $5,000 per owner at a 3% interest rate for a five-year maximum term. The maximum city investment per unit declines as the number of units in the structure increases:
- $5,000 per unit for 1 or 2 unit structures
- $4,000 per unit for 3 or 4 unit structures
- $3,000 per unit for more than 4 unit structures
The applicant will be responsible for obtaining two bids for all work to be done (electrical, plumbing, roofing, etc.). The City of Rock Island must review and approve the project scope of work and bids before any repairs can begin. Applications are available year-round on a first come, first served basis. Click here for information on how to apply, how to qualify and income guidelines.
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