Home Repair GSO Program

The Home Repair GSO Program is administered by the City of Greensboro Housing and Neighborhood Development Department as a locally funded housing stabilization initiative designed to assist low-income homeowners. The program was formally approved by the Greensboro City Council and is funded through a combination of Community Development Block Grant funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and local housing bond funds. Its primary purpose is to address major system failures, eliminate unsafe living conditions, and improve accessibility for homeowners while preventing further deterioration of housing stock. The program is structured to complement other local housing assistance efforts and to expand homeowner eligibility for additional energy efficiency and rehabilitation resources. The program provides financial assistance in the form of grants rather than loans, with funding of up to 20000 dollars per household. Funding is restricted to essential repairs that address health, safety, and structural integrity issues. Eligible uses include roof repair or replacement, HVAC system repair or replacement, electrical and gas system corrections, plumbing and septic repairs, and structural improvements to entrances, porches, and floors. Accessibility improvements such as ramps, supports, and walk-in showers are also allowable. The program explicitly excludes non-essential improvements and limits work to the primary residential structure. Certain activities such as mold or asbestos remediation are only eligible when incidental to an approved repair. Weatherization and energy efficiency improvements may be referred to other partner programs. Eligibility is restricted to homeowners within the Greensboro city limits who meet strict income and ownership criteria. Applicants must have household income below 80 percent of the area median income, must fully own and occupy the home as their primary residence for at least five years, and may not own additional real estate. Applicants must also be current on property taxes, utilities, and municipal obligations or be on approved payment plans. Properties must meet eligibility requirements related to value limits, safety conditions, and environmental compliance, and must not have conditions that would prevent safe inspection or repair work. The application process requires submission of a complete application along with supporting documentation verifying income, ownership, financial standing, and insurance coverage. Required documents include proof of income for all household members, recent bank statements, tax documentation, mortgage statements, and government-issued identification. Applications are only considered complete when all required materials are submitted. Once approved, the property undergoes inspection by a rehabilitation specialist who determines the scope of work. A conditional approval is then issued, followed by execution of a contract between the homeowner and contractor with the city acting as a third party. Applications are accepted during a defined window and are limited by program capacity. For the current cycle, applications open on August 17 and close on September 18 at 4 pm or earlier if a set number of completed applications are received. The program is not rolling and operates in cycles based on funding availability and city approval. Eligible homeowners may receive only one grant within a ten-year period, with the award recorded to enforce this restriction. The city reserves the right to deny applications that do not meet eligibility requirements or cannot be completed within program limits. The program evaluates applications based on eligibility compliance, safety priorities, and feasibility of repairs within funding caps. Priority is given to projects that address significant health and safety risks or code violations. The city may also prioritize projects based on lead hazards or other environmental concerns. Applicants are notified in writing of approval or denial, and may be asked to provide additional documentation or address deficiencies. Throughout the process, applicants must maintain compliance with insurance, tax, and occupancy requirements. For additional information or assistance with the application process, applicants may contact the Home Repair Program via email at homerepairgso at greensboro-nc dot gov or by phone at 3363732530. Applications may be submitted by email, mail, or in person at the Housing and Neighborhood Development Department offices. The program emphasizes accessibility and offers appointment-based assistance to help applicants complete required materials accurately and efficiently.