TOWN OF BABYLON COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT’S

HOME IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM

2025 PROGRAM GUIDELINES

Applications will be accepted until 5pm on May 7, 2025 

I.          PROGRAM ASSISTANCE

The Town of Babylon Home Improvement Program provides no-interest, deferred payment loans to qualified low and moderate-income to four to six homeowners in the Town of Babylon.

The purpose of the loan is to improve housing conditions and correct housing code violations by repairing and rehabilitating health and safety hazards.  The maximum loan is up to $50,000 to correct substandard housing code violations and an additional $15,000 lead abatement.  There is no interest.  Payment of the loan is deferred until the property is sold, the title is transferred or the home is refinanced for cash out.  Monthly payments are not required.  The loan is secured by a mortgage placed against the property. 

Please be aware that refinancing your mortgage requires a subordination review by the Community Development Program or payback of funds, and home equity loans are not permitted. 

II.          APPLICATION PROCESS

a)     Applicants:

Applicants will be required to complete and submit the Town of Babylon Home Improvement Program application and all supporting documentation to determine their eligibility to participate in the program.  All guidelines must be met. Only completed applications will be eligible for assistance. (a first-come, first-served basis).  

The Program Manager will contact homeowners via email to advise them of funding availability.    

If the Program Manager encounters material discrepancies and/or misrepresentations, and/or there are income, household composition or other important questions that can’t be resolved, the Program reserves the right to deny assistance to the household.  Final approval to determine eligibility to receive assistance through this program is at the discretion of the Director of Community Development in Babylon Town.

b)     Eligibility Requirements – Applicant

The applicant and co-applicant must satisfy the following criteria to be eligible for program assistance:

• Must be the owner of the property to be rehabilitated and have resided in the dwelling as their principle residence for not less than one year.
  
  
• Must be current on mortgage payments and all applicable property taxes.
  
  
• Must maintain homeowner’s insurance covering structure replacement during the grant compliance period. Homes located in a flood zone must have flood insurance coverage during the grant compliance period.
  
  
• Ownership must be in the form of either a fee-simple title or a 99-year leasehold, and the title must not have any restrictions or encumbrances that would unduly restrict the good and marketable nature of the ownership interest.
  
  
• Owner cannot have more than $15,000 in assets less outstanding debt; recorded on credit report.
  
  
•  Homeowner cannot own any other properties. 

c)     Household Selection

Households selected for participation in the Town of Babylon’s Housing Rehabilitation Program are those determined eligible upon completion of process described in a), b) and c) above.  All guidelines must be met. 

III.          BID SELECTION

If it appears that the program can be of assistance to the homeowner, an appointment will be made for the Consulting Architect to evaluate the existing condition of the house.  A detailed work write-up is prepared, a Lead Based Paint Inspection/Assessment is ordered, as well as an environmental review and asbestos inspection.

The homeowner selects the contractor.  Bids are solicited from at least 3 qualified licensed contractors.  The program will provide a list of contractors to assist the homeowner.  The homeowner may suggest a contractor to be included in the bidding process as long as the contractor is licensed, certified and has all of the proper insurances and adheres to the rules of the program.  The Program will provide funds in the amount of the lowest acceptable bid.  The Program Manager/Architect will conduct a walk thru of the house and attendance is mandatory for any contractor interested in bidding on the job.  Sealed bids are returned to The Long Island Housing Partnership, Inc.

During the construction, interim inspections of the work performed will be conducted to ensure quality standards.  When the work is completed, it is inspected by the Consulting Architect and the homeowners prior to final acceptance of the work.

INCOME GUIDELINES

The maximum permitted annual Household income for all homeowners applying for the Town of Babylon Home Improvement Program and who reside within the Town of Babylon who have incomes at or below 80% of the median annual household income listed below may be eligible for the program.  Also note Residents will be served on a First-Come, First-Served Basis in which their application is received.

IV.          CITIZENSHIP

The owner of the home must be either a U.S. Citizen or a Qualified Alien, as defined at 8 USC 1641.

V.          ELIGIBLE IMPROVEMENTS

The Home Improvement Program is designed to correct basic housing conditions that are considered dangerous to health and safety.  Also to bring homes up to current energy efficient standards.  Priority improvements include the following:

§  Structural Repairs, such as foundations, beams, stairs, roofs, stoops, chimneys

§  Replacements, such as plumbing, furnaces/boilers, water heaters, electric service.

§  Weatherization, such as insulation, air sealing, storm windows and doors

§  Exterior Upgrading, such as woodwork repair, siding, trim, etc.

§  Interior Improvements, such as repairing floors, walls, ceilings, painting.

§  Modifications for the Physically Handicapped, such as walks, ramps, wheelchair showers, etc.

VI.          ELIGIBLE HOUSING TYPES

Two Family Homes are not allowed.  Only pre-existing single-family residences located within the Town of Babylon include the following:

·       Town Houses

·       Condominiums

·       Manufactured Homes

PLEASE NOTE:

·       Residences must meet all applicable Town of Babylon Building Codes;

·       Residences must have all applicable Town of Babylon Permits/CO’s in place at the time of application;

·       Homes having second kitchens are not allowed;

·       Homes having 2nd meters are not allowed;

·       Residences cannot contain any rental units or any legal accessory apartments;

·       No Home Equity Loans, Reverse Mortgages or Life Estates permitted;

·       Property Taxes, Homeowners Insurance and Mortgages must be paid and reflect a current status at the time of application.

VII.          RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT

Applicants must occupy the property as their Principal Residence.  In the event that a homeowner sells, transfers title or discontinues residence in the rehabilitated property for any reason, the loan becomes due and payable.

VIII.          ELIGIBLE AREAS IN THE TOWN OF BABYLON

All homes must be within the Town of Babylon, which consists of the following Hamlets and Villages:

• AMITYVILLE
• NORTH AMITYVILLE        
• BABYLON
• COPIAGUE
• DEER PARK                         
• EAST FARMINGDALE-Suffolk County
• LINDENHURST
• NORTH BABYLON
• WEST BABYLON                
• WHEATLEY HEIGHTS       
• WYANDANCH

Town Babylon Community Development
Home Improvement Program
 ACKNOWLEDGMENT, CERTIFICATIONS AND DISCLAIMERS

ACKNOWLEDMENT: 

I/We understand that the Long Island Housing Partnership, Inc. (LIHP) is relying on this information to prove my/our household’s eligibility for housing assisted under the program.  I/We certify that all information and answers to the questions are true and complete to the best of my/our knowledge.  If any of the information provided in this application changes prior to receipt of assistance, it is my/our responsibility to notify the LIHP in writing so that an updated determination can be made regarding my eligibility status.  If I/we have not executed a rehabilitation agreement within six (6) months of the date qualified, I/we understand that I/we may be required to resubmit current financial information and documentation to determine that I/we still meet the eligibility requirements of the program.  Program eligibility must be maintained from the point of application to the awarding of all grant assistance.  I/We understand that I/we may be required to submit updated, additional and/or clarifying documentation to determine eligibility and that the information provided may be verified.

I/We understand that in compliance with the FAIR CREDIT REPORTING ACT the processing of this application includes but is not limited to making any inquiries deemed necessary to verify the accuracy of the information I/we provided, including procuring consumer reports from consumer credit reporting agencies and obtaining credit information from other credit institutions.  I/We understand that after review of my/our financial status, LIHP may determine that I/we do not qualify for assistance through the Home Improvement Program.

We certify, under the penalties and provisions of U.S.C. Title 18 Section 1001, and other applicable federal, state and local laws, that the information submitted has been examined and approved and is true, correct, and complete.  We also understand that apart from the penalties and provisions of U.S.C. Title 18, Section 1001, and any other applicable laws, falsification of any item in this application may be a criminal offense.

CERTIFICATIONS:

1.      I/WE CERTIFY THAT I/WE HAVE READ AND UNDERSTAND THE PROGRAM GUIDELINES FOR THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING HOME IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM AND UNDERSTAND THAT THE GRANT IS SUBJECT TO CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS AND REQUIREMENTS INCLUDING REPAYMENT UPON SALE, REFINANCE OR TITLE TRANSFER. SUBMISSION OF AN APPLICATION DOES NOT GUARANTEE ELIGIBILITY AND ELIGIBILITY IS SUBJECT TO COMPLIANCE WITH ALL PROGRAM GUIDELINES.

2.      I/WE CERTIFY THAT I/WE HAVE BEEN PROVIDED WITH A CHECKLIST OF DOCUMENTS AND INFORMATION REQUIRED TO BE PROVIDED TO BE CONSIDERED FOR ELIGIBILITY FOR THE HOME IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM.  I/WE UNDERSTAND THAT FAIRLURE TO PROVIDE SUCH DOCUMENTS AND INFORMATION WILL MAKE ME/US INELIGIBLE FOR SUCH PROGRAM.

DISCLAIMER:

It is understood that this is not an offer and that the LIHP may change the terms and conditions at any time.  It is further understood that notices by the LIHP may be made in such manner as the LIHP may determine, including solely by advertisement or email. LIHP is not responsible to any party for any damage(s) caused or which may be caused as a result of the information collected for this application.  The LIHP reserves the right to reject any application for any non-discriminatory reason.  Decisions by the LIHP are final.

FAIR HOUSING AND NON-DISCRIMINATION

LIHP is committed to promoting fair housing, equal opportunity, and non-discrimination in compliance with all federal, state and local laws, including, but not limited to, the Fair Housing Act, as amended by the Housing for Older Americans Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Civil Rights Act, and the New York State Human Rights Law.  The LIHP staff is available to assist with the application, and answer questions about eligibility requirements.  In furtherance of this policy, LIHP shall not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, familial status, source of income, religion, disability, veterans’ status, age, or any other basis prohibited by law.

LIMITED ENGLISH PROFICIENCY AND ACCOMMODATIONS

LIHP will take reasonable steps to ensure that persons with Limited English Proficiency (LEP) and persons who need assistance or who have a limited ability to speak, read, or write English, will have meaningful access and an equal opportunity to participate in the Program.  Interpreters, translators and other aids needed to comply with this policy shall be provided as reasonably necessary.  If you have any questions regarding the guidelines, or need assistance including language assistance such as translation and/or oral interpretation services, please contact the LIHP at info@lihp.org.