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Village of Massena Housing Rehabilitation

This is a program to improve the Village of Massena by promoting repair and rehabilitation of the existing housing stock. The primary objective is to eliminate any conditions that might become hazardous to the health or safety of the occupants of homes throughout the Village. Insulation and weatherization and other repairs or improvements will also be encouraged.

Contact Information

Eligibility Requirements

Assistance will be available for single family owner-occupied homes located anywhere in the village of Massena. Applications for assistance must be filed by the property owner. Proof of ownership will be required in form of a deed or land contract recorded in the office of the County Clerk. Life tenancy agreements can also be accepted as proof of ownership. Applicants must secure adequate insurance for the property before any work is done under this program. In addition, all real estate taxes must be paid and charges for all other public services (water & sewer) must be current and all other properties owned by the applicant in the Village of Massena.

Priority For Assistance

Preference will be given to applicants with the greatest need based on the deficiencies found in their homes and their financial ability to deal with those problems, as outlined below:

• Very low-income households (those with income below 50% of median) will be given preference over low-income households (those with income "between" 50% to 80% of median).
• Applicants with fixed income (retirement, disability, social security, etc.) will be given preference over those with income from sources that could increase in the future.
• Preference will be given to cases where emergency repairs are needed to eliminate problems that are an immediate threat to the structural integrity of the house or the health and safety of the occupants.
• Preference may be given to cases with serious code violations if those problems could become a threat to the structural integrity of the home or the health and safety of the occupants. The program guidelines also establish priorities for the kind of improvements that will be considered for assistance, as follows: 1) health and safety improvements required to comply with applicable local and state codes; 2) energy related improvements; and 3) other improvements needed to address problems in the house.

HUD Income Limits (effective 2/11/2005)

These income limits are revised annually by HUD. Each applicant must qualify under these limits when they are approved for assistance.

How Do I Decide What Work To Do?

The Rehabilitation Coordinator will inspect each property with the owner to identify improvements that can be made with assistance under this program. A written description (Work Write-up) of that work will be prepared for review and approval by the owner. The Rehabilitation Coordinator will identify all improvements that are needed to meet local codes and remove any health and safety hazards in the property. Those problems must be addressed if any assistance is provided for the property.

How Do I Find A Contractor?

The Rehabilitation Coordinator will identify local contractors who have been approved for work under this program. Of course, property owners may also select contractors who will be asked to provide proposals for this work. All contractors must be approved by the Rehabilitation Coordinator before they can work on any property where assistance is being provided under this program.

What Strings Are Attached?

All code violations must be corrected if assistance is provided under this program. In addition, applicants must agree not to sell their homes for three years after all work is completed.

How Do I Apply For Assistance?

Call or visit the building department at the village Office at 60 Main Street. Regular office hours are 8:00 am - 12:00 noon and 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm on weekdays. Special appointments can be arranged for other times. Please ask for Avis Hazelton or Dale Beaulieu at 769-6803.

Village of Massena Housing Rehabilitation - Town Hall, 60 Main Street - Massena, NY 13662 - 315.769.6803 - housing@massenaworks.com