Owner Occupied Rehabilitation Program

The Owner Occupied Rehabilitation Program is administered by the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs as part of the state’s Community Development Block Grant program. The program is designed to strengthen rural communities by investing in housing improvements that benefit low and moderate income residents. The initiative reflects the broader mission of the Community Development Block Grant framework, which emphasizes long term community development, improved housing conditions, and sustainable local investment. According to the application instructions, the program is highly competitive and requires applicants to demonstrate readiness, compliance, and clear alignment with federal housing objectives. The primary purpose of the program is to fund local rehabilitation initiatives for owner occupied homes. Communities that receive awards establish programs that provide direct assistance to homeowners for essential repairs and accessibility improvements. Eligible activities include roof and gutter repair, heating and cooling replacement, electrical upgrades, water heater replacement, and interior or exterior accessibility modifications. These improvements are intended to ensure that homes remain safe, habitable, and accessible, particularly for aging residents and individuals with disabilities. The program also supports aging in place by enabling homeowners to remain in their residences with improved safety and mobility. Funding is awarded to eligible local units of government rather than directly to individuals. Cities and towns may request up to 350000 dollars, while counties may request up to 500000 dollars. Individual rehabilitation projects are capped at 25000 dollars per home. The program requires a mandatory local match of at least ten percent of the total project cost, which may be composed of local, state, or non federal resources, including approved in kind contributions. Administrative costs may also be covered, subject to an eight percent cap when using grant funds. The funding amount awarded is not guaranteed and may be adjusted based on project scope, demonstrated need, and available resources. Eligibility is limited to non entitlement units of local government, including cities, counties, and incorporated towns that have the legal authority to administer the program. Applicants must meet several compliance conditions, including having no outstanding audit findings, overdue reports, or unresolved monitoring issues from prior funding. They must also demonstrate alignment with the federal national objective of benefiting low and moderate income households and provide documentation verifying household income eligibility. Applicants may partner with nonprofit organizations, but those partners must provide documentation of their nonprofit status and meet regulatory requirements. The application process requires submission through the Indiana Grants Management System and must be completed by a certified grant administrator. Applicants are required to notify their community liaison of their intent to apply by June 26, 2026, and submit a full application by July 12, 2026. Prior to submission, applicants must conduct a public hearing, define program parameters, and prepare required documentation including homeowner application forms, program policies, and outreach plans. Applicants without prior experience in similar programs must complete a site visit with a community liaison. The process is structured as a single stage application with detailed supporting documentation and narrative responses. Applications are evaluated based on a comprehensive scoring framework totaling 700 points. Key evaluation areas include alignment with the national objective, community distress factors, level of local match, and project design quality. Additional points may be awarded for program specific priorities such as serving vulnerable populations or incorporating green infrastructure. Bonus points may also be available for resilience planning and disaster designation status. Successful applicants must meet a minimum score threshold and demonstrate readiness to complete the project within an eighteen month timeframe. The program follows a defined timeline, with application review and award announcements expected approximately in August 2026. After award, grantees must comply with federal and state requirements including environmental review, procurement standards, and reporting obligations. Projects must adhere to fair housing and civil rights regulations and complete required public hearings before and after implementation. The program may be offered in recurring funding cycles, and applicants who are not selected may seek feedback and reapply in future rounds. For questions, applicants are directed to contact their assigned community liaison or the program email inbox at the administering agency.

Ensure complete documentation and alignment with scoring criteria; demonstrate strong community need and readiness to proceed; engage community liaison early for technical assistance