Housing Repair Programs

BBC offers and administers a wide array of housing programs for both homebuyers as well as homeowners interested in repairing and improving their homes. Please note that each of these programs may require applicants to qualify based on income, age, occupancy, and/or other criteria.

For more information about those programs and services listed as well as others available to residents of Ward 5, please call BBC at (216) 341-1455 or email us.

Grant-based Programs

Paint Program
The City of Cleveland Paint Program is administered by BBC each year from May to August. Participants receive paint and supplies up to $400 to paint their homes, foundations, garage, porches, decks, and/or fences. To qualify, applicants must meet income guidelines. For an application, please click here. (Please note that we accept Paint applications for Ward 5 residents only.)

Emergency Furnace Repair Program
Experts recommend that homeowners have a qualified heating professional inspect their furnace and heating system prior to the winter season every year. A routine inspection can ensure that your furnace works efficiently and may even save your life by detecting health and safety hazards. Low-income seniors in Ward 5 are eligible to receive free furnace maintenance and repair in Fall 2007. Income guidelines apply, and assistance will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis.

Purpose Painters/Colors of Christ Program
With BBC, Purpose Painters, a one-of-a-kind faith-based initiative that offers eligible single-parent families, grandparent-headed families, and foster-parent households the opportunity to receive an interior-only painting ranging in scope from one room to one floor.  Both materials and labor are provided at no cost, however, recipients are required to supply at least 50% of the labor, which can include family, friends, and neighbors.

Rebuilding Together
The Cleveland affiliate of Rebuilding Together, a nationwide nonprofit organization dedicated to the rehabilitation and repair of homes owned by families and individiuals on limited incomes and senior citizens, provides exterior house-painting, yard maintenance, and light home repairs free of charge. Rebuilding Day is usually performed in June of each year, and applications are due in spring.

Senior Home Assistance Program (SHAP)
Are you a senior in need critical health and safety repairs to your home? SHAP typically assists qualified senior homeowners and tenants with one major home repair.

Chore Program
Eligible seniors can receive assistance with home maintenance, general and heavy house cleaning, lawn mowing, painting, simple home repairs, and much more for no charge.

Senior Spruce-Up Program
Residents of the Cleveland Central Weed & Seed service area can receive help with cleaning up their yards, homes, and more. This program is powered by Cleveland Central Weed & Seed and its volunteers.

Cleveland Cuyahoga Healthy Homes Program
Owners and tenants with children under the age of 16 may receive specialized duct cleaning, furnace repair removal of lead hazards and water-damaged areas, and insulation. Income guidelines apply.

Home Repair Assistance Program (HRAP)
HRAP is a housing program administered entirely by BBC for low- to middle-income Ward 5 residents that need assistance with critical health and safety repairs. Please call BBC at (216) 341-1455 for more information.

Smoke Detectors for Cleveland Residents
The Red Cross and Cleveland Fire Department are providing free smoke detectors and batteries to Cleveland residents. Installation will be performed by firefighters at no cost. For more information and to apply, please call the Save-a-Life 24-hour hotline at (216) 361-5535.

Utility Reduction Programs

Home Weatherization Assistance Program (HWAP)
Receive an inspection and tune-up/repair of heating unit and insulation, a Carbon Monoxide Alarm, and more. Applicants must be Dominion East Ohio Gas customers and meet income guidelines. For an application, please click here.

Cuyahoga County Auditor Homestead Program
The Cuyahoga County Auditor’s office can help to significantly reduce your property taxes each year.  To qualify, one spouse must be at least 65 years of age, and own and occupy their home. There are no income guidelines. For more information, please call (216) 443-7050.

Cleveland Water Department Homestead Program
Senior Citizens 65 years of age and older that receive less than $25,000 annually can sign up for discounted water bills. Contact customer service at (216) 664-3130.

Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District Homestead Program
District customers age 65 or older, or to anyone under 65 who is totally disabled may be eligible to receive a rate decrease on their sewer bills.  Applicants must have a household income of $26,200 or less, and must own and occupy their property.  Interested?  Call (216) 881-8247.

Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)
Eligible low-income households can receive assistance with the high costs of heating their homes to avoid a discontinuation of service.

Low-Interest Loan Programs

Repair-A-Home
Administered by the City of Cleveland, the Repair-A-Home program assists residents of owner-occupied homes with loans at rates of zero to three percent, based on the borrower's income. The Repair-A-Home program first will address code violations in the home.

Neighborhood Housing Services (NHS) Home Repair Loan
NHS provides loans for various repairs for home owners. Applicants can borrow up to $60,000 and there are no income restrictions. The program is limited to owner-occupied homes of up to four units. Please click here to download an application.

Cleveland Action to Support Housing (CASH)
CASH offers low-interest rehabilitation loans to creditworthy homeowners. The program is a partnership between the City of Cleveland and thirteen financial institutions. CASH is open to all city residents. The interest rates on the loan are determined by the value of the property and borrowers' ability to repay the loan. There are no income limitations for the CASH program. Please call BBC at (216) 341-1455 for more information.

The Fix-Up Fund
The Fix-Up Fund provides low-interest loans for home improvements and extended payment options to fit borrowers’ budgets. There are no application fees or closing costs, and homeowners can qualify even if they have less-than-perfect credit. Additionally, program participants receive technical support, including home inspections, written job specs, cost estimates, and contractor oversight.

Housing Enhancement Loan Program (HELP)
Offers low-interest home improvement loans to Cleveland residents. The program is sponsored by the Office of James Rokakis, Cuyahoga County Treasurer, and several area banks.

Training & Learning

Home Maintenance Workshops
At these events, community residents learned how to make simple repairs on their homes, regardless if they were owners or renters or if their homes were newly constructed or longstanding. BBC has conducted home maintenance workshops to help train participants about how to maintain their furnace, electrical system (fuse box, outlets, etc.), roof and gutters, and plumbing (washer, toilet, etc.). For more information, please click here.

For more information about any of these programs or to find out about several others not listed, please call Burten, Bell, Carr Development, Inc. at (216) 341-1455.