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, and Targeted 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.
Roof Loans
The roof loan program is for qualified owner-occupied properties. The loan amount is a maximum of $5,000 at either 0% or 3% interest for a maximum five year term. Applications are available year round on a first come, first served basis.
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.
Income Guidelines
| 50% AREA MEDIAN INCOME LIMITS |
| # Persons in Household |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
| Maximum Income |
21,050 |
24,050 |
27,050 |
30,050 |
32,450 |
34,850 |
37,250 |
39,650 |
42,050 |
| 80% AREA MEDIAN INCOME |
| # Persons in Household |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
| Maximum Income |
33,650 |
38,500 |
43,300 |
48,100 |
51,950 |
55,800 |
59,650 |
63,500 |
67,300 |
How to Apply
For more information or to apply for one of the City’s Housing Rehabilitation Programs, contact the Planning and Redevelopment Division at 732-2900. The city’s Housing Program Officer can then discuss with you the types of programs available to meet your needs, the application process, and the need for any subsequent appointments.
How to Qualify
Rock Island residents may qualify for a housing rehabilitation program by possessing:
- Current property taxes
- Proof of homeowner’s insurance
- Proof of property ownership
- Ability to repay the loan
- Annual household income in the approved range (link up to table)
- Necessity to comply with building codes
- 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.
