(Residential Emergency Services to Offer Repairs to the Elderly)

Download the RESTORE Application: click here

The Southtowns Rural Preservation Company is a locally based organization established as a 501(c) (3) non-profit corporation on April 22, 1986. The SRPC was created to serve as a catalyst for community development in the rural southern portion of Erie County.

RESTORE Program - The Southtowns RPC is able to provide financial assistance to eligible homeowners within the service area for emergency home repairs for elderly homeowners.  A grant award from NYS Housing Trust Fund Corporation, in conjunction with funds from NYS Affordable Housing Corporation, Erie County CDBG, Rural Development and private funds have been used to make substantial repairs to homes throughout the rural Southtowns.

General Eligibility Requirements - To be eligible to participate in our RESTORE program the property to be repaired must be within the SRPC service area, be owner occupied, homeowner must be 60 + yrs. old, must have current Homeowner’s Insurance (including flood insurance if applicable), property taxes must be paid to date, and the homeowner must meet the income guidelines. Be prepared to provide verification of these items. Additionally, the homeowner must meet the Asset Test: Excluding the value of the home, assets may not exceed $15,000.

NYS Housing Trust Fund Corporation requires a 3-year Property Maintenance Declaration be placed on the property being repaired. If a property which received assistance under the Southtowns RESTORE program is sold or transferred prior to the release of the property maintenance declaration, the entire grant amount is to be repaid in full. 

Income Guidelines – Eligibility for the program will be determined from total gross household income. The amount and type of assistance provided to a household will depend on the income of the household. The income limits are included below.

Maximum assistance through the Southtowns RPC will not exceed a lifetime maximum award of $15,000 per residence.  No repayment is required unless the house is sold within the period of the property maintenance declaration, or the home is no longer occupied by the homeowner.

Household Size Median Household Income

        1           $67,900

        2           $77,600

        3           $87,000

        4           $96,900

        5           $104,700

        6           $112,500

Income guidelines are periodically revised by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, usually on an annual basis. As new income guidelines are received, this will be updated.

Eligible Improvements – The Program defines an eligible emergency repair to be a repair that will eliminate a hazardous condition or physical deficiency that poses an immediate threat to the life, health, or safety of the elderly resident(s) or an imminent threat to structure habitability. To warrant RESTORE assistance, the faulty structural component or system must be non-functional or non-operative, or pose an imminent threat to the viability of the structure and/or make the unit unsafe to occupy (such as a sudden need for disability modifications related to a medical condition or procedure.)

Typical repairs funded with RESTORE include (but are not limited to):

  • Correction of serious structural issues including foundation, floors, doorways, and decks
  • Stabilization, repair or replacement of damaged or leaking roof and roof vents and gutters
  • Broken, inoperable or unsecured window or door repair or replacement
  • Replacement of windows to enhance energy efficiency
  • Repairs to deteriorated interior or exterior stairs and means of egress
  • Accessibility modifications
  • Repairs to or replacement of failed or inadequate HVAC systems and chimneys
  • Plumbing repairs or replacement, including correcting issues with potable water supply, domestic hot water and sewage/septic
  • Mold remediation
  • Electrical repairs or upgrades of electrical/utility systems to remove hazards

Reasonable accommodations and reasonable modifications that are required for households with accessibility needs are eligible.  Repairs that are not of an emergency nature or not a threat to health and safety of elderly homeowners are not eligible for RESTORE funding. For example, repairs to an old or leaking roof may not be warranted if the roof condition is not an immediate threat to the structure or household but might be warranted if the conditions indicate the potential for imminent collapse or compromise to the electrical system.

Program Procedures:

  • Applications will be reviewed for eligibility based on household income, homeowner age, and property location.
  • Homeowners must provide verification of income, such as tax returns, pay stubs, or benefit statements or other appropriate documentation.
  • If approved, an inspector will schedule a time to conduct an inspection of the property to identify the emergency repairs needed and will prepare a work write-up and specifications which will be used to secure estimates.
  • At least two estimates must be obtained from qualified contractors for the work.
  • Bids will be reviewed by the inspector for completeness.  Bid selection will be based in part on the bid amount, contractor qualifications and experience.
  • Homeowners must sign a Property Maintenance Declaration prior to the work being started.
  • Prior to work beginning, the SRPC must have a copy of the contractor’s insurance certificate.
  • Depending on the scope of the project, the SRPC inspector may periodically inspect the property. Upon completion, a final inspection of the emergency repairs will be made by the SRPC inspector to determine that the project conforms to the specifications and satisfactory completion of the rehabilitation work.
  • Upon completion the contractor is to turn all warranties over to the homeowner.
  • Annually the SRPC will monitor the home to be sure the residency requirement is fulfilled.

To be eligible to participate in our home repair program, we need you to provide the following documents:

  1. Copy of the deed to the property (including the property descrition)
  2. Copy of the federal tax form and W-2s for all adult household members (if applicable)
  3. Copies of the four most recent pay stubs, monthly benefits statement from Social Security, VA, Disability, Unemployment, Life Insurance Policies, Investments, IRA’s, Annuities, Pensions, 401k’s etc…for all adult household members
  4. Copy of most recent paid county/town, village and school tax bills
  5. Evidence of homeowner’s insurance
  6. Mortgage statement
  7. Copies of the three most recent bank statements for each adult household member
  8. Proof of age (driver’s license, birth certificate, state issued ID, etc…)