Rental Housing
Rehabilitation Program

Kent’s Rental Housing Rehabilitation Program is available to owners of rental properties located in the City of Kent. The program is limited to rental housing properties ranging from one (1) to six (6) units. The owner may occupy one of the units but residency is not required. Eligible property improvements can include the correction of code violations, making the structure handicap accessible, updating mechanical systems (plumbing, heating, electrical), and the general rehabilitation of the housing units, such as the installation of new roofing, doors, windows, and energy efficiency measures. The program cannot repair accessory buildings or assist with physical additions to a home or improvements outside the home. Funds cannot be used to purchase new appliances.

Financing

The program will provide loan financing for up to 75% of the rehabilitation costs and is capped at a maximum of $10,000 per unit. Owner occupied units may be able to able a separate loan from the City’s Owner Occupied Housing Rehabilitation Program if they otherwise qualify for that program. As structured, the owner is required to cover all other costs related to the rehabilitation work as well as costs related to temporary relocation. The City’s loan is written as a deferred loan and is not required to be repaid until the property is transferred or the property no longer complies with other requirements imposed by the City. Simple interest of 3% per year is charged during the life of the loan. The City takes a note and mortgage as security on the loan.

Income Limits & Rent Limits

The applicant’s share of the funding for the project must be confirmed and placed on deposit with the City prior to the award of the contract for work. An applicant should verify the availability of matching funding prior to making application to the City. Matching funding can include other loans or cash from the applicant. Equity in the property cannot be counted as the applicant’s match.

The applicant is responsible for verifying all tenant information, including tenant incomes. This information must be submitted to the City of Kent at least annually during the life of the loan.

Since this program utilizes federal funding for its loan pool, the project is subject to various federal requirements. Such requirements should be evaluated by the applicant since they may generate additional costs to the applicant. The Community Development Department can explain these requirements to the applicant in more detail.

Application Fee is $100. This fee is not refundable. The applicant may also be responsible for the cost of a property appraisal if one is required.

The City relies on the availability of new funding and the repayment of previously made loans to provide money for new loans, the demand for the program may exceed the funding available. To deal with this, the City maintains a waiting list on a first come – first serve basis. To get placed on the waiting list, an interested applicant must complete a one page Pre-Application Form and submit it to the City’s Community Development Department for review.

For more information about this program, or if you have any questions, please contact the City’s Community Development Department at 330-678-8108 or send an email with your name, address and email address to Gary Locke, Plans Administrator.