JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The city of Jacksonville reopened its Home Roof Rehabilitation Program Thursday morning after getting nearly $1 million more in funding.
This program helps individuals and families stay in their homes by giving them funds to replace their home’s roof so they can retain their homeowners’ insurance and therefore, remain in compliance with mortgage requirements.
The first round of applications opened back in January, and it reached its maximum number of applications in just 90 minutes.
However, there is still time to apply for round two.
“I think by the end of today, they will have reached 300 people,” City Councilman Matt Carlucci said.
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Carlucci said he expects the program will receive the maximum number of applications by the end of Friday because of the state’s ongoing property insurance crisis.
“If you don’t get a fixed insurance, you lose your insurance if you don’t replace the roof. And if you have a mortgage, then what happens is the mortgage company forced places insurance on you, which is probably five to six, seven times as expensive as your regular homeowners. If people can’t afford it, literally, people can lose their homes over this,” Carlucci said.
After seeing how applications maxed out in less than two hours back in January, Carlucci decided to file an emergency bill asking the council to increase the funding.
“You know, we government can’t be all things to all people. But it doesn’t mean we can’t try to help people along the way. And particularly those who are most are the most vulnerable of our community,” Carlucci said.
To apply, residents must:
- Be the owner and occupant of the property to be rehabilitated
- Be current on their mortgage and property taxes
- Provide proof of an insurance letter or an insurance company roof exclusion notice demanding roof replacement of repairs
Applicants must also have a gross annual household income at or below 80% of the area median income for Jacksonville, adjusted for household size, per the U.S. HUD. This includes all income for all household members.
- Household size 1: $54,500
- Household size 2: $62,300
- Household size 3: $70,100
- Household size 4: $77,850
- Household size 5: $84,100
- Household size 6: $90,350
- Household size 7: $96,550
- Household size 8: $102,800
Rehabilitation work includes roof replacement only; shingle and/or modified bitumen. The maximum amount available for each home is $14,999, the city said.
Mobile homes are not eligible, according to the city.
So far, the program has helped 31 families, according to the city. The program has completed 10 roofs, and nine roofs are in progress. In addition, twelve families are going through the application process.
In total, the program is expected to replace roofs on 80 homes, city officials said.
“I wish it could reach more people. But it’s a start,” Carlucci said.
The City’s financial assistance will be provided in the form of a deferred payment loan, at zero (0%) interest, for a term of up to five years. No monthly payments will be due, and the loan balance will decrease on a pro-rated basis annually for the mortgage term if the property remains the applicant’s primary residence.
Eligible residents can apply by phone or online, through the MyJax portal. The program will be closed once the maximum number of applications is received.
Log on to MyJax by visiting this website, or you can also call 904-255-2489 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday and ask for the Home Roof Rehabilitation Program.