City opens COVID-19 grant application for residential home repair

PORT ST. LUCIE – The City of Port St. Lucie has opened applications for its COVID-19 Emergency Home Repair Grant Program, which may provide up to $10,000 in-home repair assistance for qualifying Port St. Lucie residents who have suffered hardship because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The grant program will be administered in partnership with St. Lucie Habitat for Humanity. To find out more and apply, visit www.StLucieHabitat.org. Eligible homeowners may apply for small to medium emergency life-safety repairs and improvements where the damage occurred on or after March 1, 2020.

“We’re proud to partner with St. Lucie Habitat for Humanity to provide relief to Port St. Lucie residents during this difficult time,” said City Manager Russ Blackburn. “We hope that these small-dollar awards can help our community build resilience and preserve homeownership.”

The program will make approximately 20 to 35 grants available, depending on the types of repairs, from a total of $270,00 in money received through the state’s Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) Administered by the Florida Housing Coalition.

Eligible grant improvements:

Roofing
Windows and doors
Heating and cooling
Electrical
Plumbing
Kitchens
Bathrooms
Flooring
Foundation and structural repairs

“Having provided critical home repairs for 69 homeowners in need of assistance over the past two years, we are grateful to provide additional critical repairs, through the CARES program, for eligible Port St. Lucie homeowners affected by the pandemic,” said Bob Calhoun, executive director, St. Lucie Habitat for Humanity. “Partnering with the City of Port St. Lucie, we have opened our resources and hearts to help strengthen homes in this time of great need.”

Port St. Lucie residents will be asked to demonstrate a negative impact on their financial income and qualify based on the requirements outlined in the program guide. Applications are being accepted until funding has been exhausted. Applications will be processed on a first-come, first-ready basis. All applicants must meet the program eligibility criteria. If the application is not complete, the application will not be eligible for processing. For additional information or support, contact St. Lucie Habitat for Humanity by calling 772-464-1117, ext. 104, or by emailing application@StLucieHabitat.org. The closing of the program will be announced online at www.StLucieHabitat.org and www.cityofpsl.com.

About St. Lucie Habitat for Humanity

To date, St. Lucie Habitat for Humanity has built or rehabbed 78 homes and repaired 93 homes in St. Lucie County. St. Lucie Habitat for Humanity is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and since 1996, has worked to empower struggling working families that want to achieve homeownership or need help making critical repairs to their owner-occupied home.

Habitat homebuyers help build their own homes alongside volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage. Through financial support, in-kind donations, shopping our ReStore, volunteering or adding a voice to support affordable housing, everyone can help families achieve the strength, stability and self-reliance they need to build better lives for themselves.

Through home ownership, we empower, and together, WE WILL BUILD BACK STRONGER. Learn more at StLucieHabitat.org.