Broadview Heights joins home improvement program for houses 50 years and older

BROADVIEW HEIGHTS, Ohio – The city will join the Heritage Home Program – which allows residents who own homes 50 and older to obtain low-interest loans for repairs and renovations, as well as receive free technical assistance, even though the program’s future is uncertain.

City Council voted unanimously in November to join the program, which is offered by Cleveland Restoration Society. The nonprofit works to preserve historic buildings.

“Pretty much all the cities around us are doing this,” council President Robert Boldt said Nov. 17. “We keep talking about updating old homes. I don’t know of a better (way) to do that.”

Homes eligible for assistance through the Heritage Home Program don’t have to be historic in nature, just 50 or older. Homes cannot contain more than three living units to qualify.

At the Nov. 17 council meeting, Councilman Tom Pavlica said the program would cost the city $6,320 for a full year.

However, council members Glenn Goodwin and Brian Dunlap cautioned that – although Heritage Home in past years has secured loans with 2% interest rates for residents needing home repairs – the program may change in January.

Dunlap referred to the city of Rocky River, which has offered the Heritage Home Program since 2012 to its residents. The loan interest rates have been 2%.

On its website, the city of Rocky River has announced that the loan program will end on Dec. 31.

“Cleveland Restoration Society is engaged in discussions with the Cuyahoga County Treasurer’s Office, KeyBank and another lender to develop new Heritage Home Program loan products,” the city of Rocky River’s website says.

“The interest rate on those new products has not yet been determined but they will not be close to the unprecedented 2% rate,” the Rocky River website says.

Dunlap recommended waiting to see how the program will change next year before joining it.

“I don’t want to sit there and say I’m against it,” Dunlap said. “I think the interest rate will be lower (than the standard mortgage rate). But I think the prudent thing to do, in my opinion, would be to sit back and see how this unfolds.”

Goodwin suggested signing up for a six-month trial before committing to one year. Other council members were agreeable but council finally decided that the cost of a full year was worth it.

Councilman Joe Price said the city spends more money on studies than it would spend on the Heritage Home Program for one year.

Further, Boldt and Councilman Brian Wolf said a few residents are ready to sign up for the program and would do so before the end of the year.

“There are a few people who have been waiting for this,” Boldt said. “Let’s give them that 2%.”

The Heritage Home Program is available for residents with a maximum household income of $77,760 who own a home valued at $750,000 or less.

Heritage Home projects include both exterior and interior work, such as kitchen and bath improvements, additions, roof repairs and replacements, basement waterproofing and insulation installations.

The city of Brecksville joined the program earlier this year.

Jasmine Prezenkowski, Heritage Home Program team leader, told Brecksville City Council in November that technical assistance comes in the form of a 30-minute home visit by a construction specialist.

Homeowners can ask the construction specialist questions about virtually any subject.

For example, they can seek advice on how to paint their home exterior, prioritize home improvements or make their homes more energy efficient.

There are loan eligibility requirements. The home has to be insured and the owner must have some equity in the home. Also, tax payments on the property must be up to date.

Prezenkowski said more than 40 communities, including most municipalities in Cuyahoga County, participate in the Heritage Home Program.

The program provides reports to the city regarding which and how many homeowners are participating and specifications for each home improvement project.

The program also monitors progress on each project once construction begins and provides technical advice during construction if asked to do so.

The program inspects the project once work is completed and ensures that it complies with bid specifications.

According to the Cleveland Restoration Society website, the Heritage Home Program also provides information on local contractors who might perform the work and reviews contractor bids with homeowners.