The Department of Neighborhood Development's (DND) mission is to make Boston "the most livable city in the nation." By working with members of the community, specifically home and small business owners, they aim to create safe, attractive neighborhoods and lucrative businesses. They recognize that well maintained buildings and open spaces (parks, beaches) contribute to a welcoming and safe environment that people will want to live and participate economically in.

Three DND programs of particular interest to our patients are the "HomeWorks", "Boston's Historic HomeWorks" and "Senior Homeowner Assistance" programs. All financially assist homeowners in Boston to make much needed renovations and improvements to their places of residence. Applicants must be homeowners and must meet income eligibility guidelines to participate.

The HomeWorks Program
Offers grants of up to $3000 for almost any kind of home repair (including new windows, roof repair, kitchen renovations, etc.) and up to $4000 for painting of a home's exterior. Several Boston banks offer loans in conjunction with the HomeWorks program if assistance beyond their grants is needed. To be eligible for a HomeWorks grant, a Boston citizen must be the owner occupant of a 1-4 family house or condominium and earn an annual income that does not exceed $45,000 (household of one), or $65,000 (household of two or more).

Boston's Historic HomeWorks
Assists homeowners to make historically appropriate exterior repairs and improvements to property that is at least 50 years old. Grants of up to $7500 are available. Eligibility requirements for the Historic HomeWorks program are similar to those for the HomeWorks program. To be considered eligible, Boston citizen must be the owner occupant of a 1-5 family home that is at least 50 years old and must not earn more than $55,000 (household of one), or $85,000 (household of two or more) annually.

The Senior Homeowner Assistance Program
Assists low-income senior citizens of Boston to finance home maintenance and rehabilitation projects. This major program is divided into three minor programs, depending on the difficulty and estimated length of time to be spent on the repairs. First, the Senior Minor Repair Program provides minor home repairs (including clogged drains, installation of grab bars in bathrooms, etc.). A nominal fee is charged for these services, but may be waived in cases of extreme financial hardship. Second, the Senior Emergency Home Repair Program corrects specific housing conditions which pose immediate threats to the safety and health of an elderly homeowner. A Department of Neighborhood Development Construction Specialist will determine the existence of an emergency situation, which would include, failed heating systems and severely leaking roofs. The third program is the Senior Home Rehabilitation Program, which provides loan financing and technical assistance to qualified seniors. The repairs taken on at this level of the program are much more time consuming and costly, averaging $10,000 but not exceeding $35,000. To be eligible for Senior Homeowner Assistance, Boston seniors must be homeowners and must not exceed specifically set income guidelines.

To apply and to obtain more information and the income guidelines for the Senior Homeowner Assistance Program, call the senior agency appropriate to the applicant's area of residence (numbers are available in the CRC). For more information on HomeWorks grants and how to apply, call HomeWorks Programs at (617) 635-0600, or the Boston Home Center at (617) 638-4663. To obtain further information on HomeWorks, the Senior Homeowner Assistance Program, or any other facet of the Department of Neighborhood Development, visit their website at http://www.ci.boston.ma.us/dnd.

The Department of Neighborhood Development can be found in IRis under keywords such as: Emergency Assistance, Home Improvement/Repairs, Home modifications, Financial Assistance, Handyman Services, and Homeowner Services.

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