Emergency Repair Program
PROGRAM GUIDELINES
The Emergency Repair Program provides for the immediate correction of an emergency condition that has been determined to present an imminent danger to the health and safety of the occupants of residential property in the City of Columbus. Applicant and property criteria for participation in this program are outlined below.
GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION
Properties must be single unit residences; owner-occupied a minimum of one year prior to application and located within the corporate limits and tax districts of the City of Columbus. Mobile homes, rent-to-own, land contracted, manufactured homes and/or multi-unit residences are not eligible to participate.
ELIGIBLE EMERGENCY REPAIR WORK
Only the work necessary to correct substandard, unsanitary or deteriorated condition(s) that have been identified by a Code Enforcement Officer or a Housing Division Program Manager as creating an imminent danger to health and safety of the occupant(s) is eligible. Completion of other repairs must be financed independently.
Types of repairs include but are not limited to: loss of heat; leaking or inoperable hot water tanks; full or total loss of electric; inoperable sump pumps; a damaged gas service line; a damaged sewer main; a damaged exterior water line cited by the Water Division for critical repair; utility services cited by the utility provider for critical repair; and/or conditions a Code Enforcement Officer or Housing Division Rehabilitation Technician has declared an emergency.
ELIGIBLE HOUSEHOLD
Applicants must have an annual gross income at or below 50% of the Area Median Income (AMI) as defined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Total household income includes the income of all adults 18 years of age and older living in the home.
| HUD Income Guideline - 50% Area Median Income |
| Family |
Yearly Income |
| One |
$38,150 |
| Two |
$43,600 |
| Three |
$49,050 |
| Four |
$54,500 |
| Five |
$58,900 |
| Six |
$63,250 |
| Seven |
$67,600 |
| Eight |
$71,950 |
FINANCING
Maximum grant is up to $7,500 per household, depending on the amount of work that qualifies as an emergency. Grants will be awarded to each eligible applicant, no repayment is required.
Payments for eligible work will be made directly to the contractor when the inspections have been obtained, work is satisfactorily completed, and an itemized bill has been submitted. All required permits must be obtained. The property must receive an Environmental Review through the City for replacement of a water tank or furnace.
Please use the following link to apply **EMERGENCY REPAIR PROGRAM APPLICATION(PDF, 361KB) **
Applications saved to a personal computer may be submitted as an email attachment and sent to: Home_Safe_and_Sound@columbus.gov.
Applications may be submitted by fax to the Homeowner Services Center (614) 645-6675 Attn: HSC Applications.
Applications may also be returned by mail to our office: City of Columbus Housing Division | Homeowner Services Center | 111 N Front St FL 3 | Columbus OH 43215-2848.
Please consult with your provider to ensure the successful transmission of your fax submissions. Please consult with your local post office branch to ensure the successful delivery of items mailed.
HOUSING DIVISION CONTACT INFO
Homeowner Services Center Intake Phone Line (614) 645-8526
Fax (614) 645-6675 | Email: Home_Safe_and_Sound@columbus.gov
Franklin County Auditor
Franklin County Recorder's Office
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
OHFA
Homeport Downpayment Assistance