Lakewood Township Housing Rehabilitation Program

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What is it all about?

Lakewood Township as part of its yearly entitlement grant from H.U.D (U.S. Dept. of Housing & Urban Development) provides a housing rehabilitation program to assist eligible residents with funding for major and minor rehabilitation to their principal place of residence. You will find here a brief description of eligibility criteria, the application process and procedures

Who is Eligible?

  • The applicant must be resident of Lakewood Township.
  • The applicant must be the owner of the property and the property must be the principal place of residence.
  • The building cannot contain more than one (1) rental unit(s) and the principal unit must be owner occupied.
    • All rent received must be declared as income by the applicant.
  • The annual GROSS income (amount prior to taxes) of all persons residing in the applicant's household must not exceed the maximum income level established by Federal Guidelines. These limits are subject to change annually.
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What documentation is required from the applicant?

The following INCOME DOCUMENTS MUST be returned for ALL household members. These documents must reflect ALL income, non-taxable and taxable received for the last twelve (12) months. An application WILL NOT be accepted, deemed complete or processed until ALL the requested documentation listed below is received.

  • Copies of the recorded deed and mortgages. These copies MUST show the County stamp showing the recorded date, book and page numbers.
  • Proof of paid property tax. (Can be obtained at the Lakewood Township Tax Office.)
  • Copy of the declaration page of current homeowner's insurance policy. Copy of flood insurance if in a flood zone.
  • Documentation of all non-taxable AND taxable income received by ALL household members including minors and full-time students. This includes, but is not limited to, the following:
    • Copies of last year's Federal AND State Income Tax Returns for ALL household members.
      They are to include the signatures of the taxpayers AND All applicable attachments and schedules.
    • Copies of two (2) recent pay stubs showing gross year-to-date amounts. If this is not available, please obtain a letter from your place of employment stating your gross year-to date and total gross annual income.
    • Copies of the annual Social Security and Supplemental Security Statements OR please obtain a letter from the Social Security office stating your annual income.
    • Copies of Disability statements. This must state the beginning and ending dates, as well as the amount received.
    • Copies of Welfare statements. This must state the beginning and ending dates, as well as the amount received. If not available, please obtain a letter from the Welfare Office.
    • Copies of Unemployment statements. This must state the beginning and ending dates, as well as the amount received. If not available, please obtain a letter from the Unemployment Office.
    • Copies of Alimony and Child Support checks. Also required is a copy of the Separation and Divorce agreement stating the amount received to be received.
    • Copies of Interest and Dividend statements.
    • Copies of Pension and Annuity statements.
    • Copies of ALL income received from child care, cleaning homes, etc.
    • Copies of ALL other income and/or public assistance, non-taxable AND taxable, received by ALL household members.

What Rehabilitation and Improvements are Eligible?

Major Repairs or Replacements:

  • Roof
  • Heating System (includes hot water heater)
  • Plumbing (includes sewer and water connections)
  • Electric (Inspected by the Lakewood Township Electrical Inspector)
  • Weatherization to reduce energy consumption
  • Structural damage
  • Handicap facilities (documentation required)
  • Additional bedroom space ( ONLY when approved by program officials.
    Specifically when different sex children reside in same sleeping area)
  • Stove (ONLY when a safety hazard exists)

Minor Repairs or Replacements:

  • Minor painting
  • Masonry
  • Gutters and leaders
  • Drywall and flooring
  • Fixtures
  • Minor carpentry
  • Repair driveways and sidewalks

What Rehabilitation and Improvements are Ineligible?

  • Custom painting / Custom tile
  • Cosmetic Luxury fixtures
  • Purchase of appliances not required by code
  • Acquisition of land
  • Landscaping

So how does this program help?

The Lakewood Township Housing Rehabilitation Program is designed to provide assistance based on the Program Building Inspector's determination of what eligible items are needed and does not guarantee the maximum assistance.

If you are eligible, a 100% properly rehabilitation Deferred Loan will be made available on a FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED basis. A lien will be placed on your home which will be recorded with your property deed. This Loan (not to exceed $25,000) shall be forgiven ten (10) years from the date it was recorded at the County. During the ten (10) years, if you should transfer title or rent to someone for any reason, you, your heirs, executors, or representatives, must notify Lakewood Township Administration and repayment must be made within thirty (30) days.

You qualify!! what next?

If after reading this pamphlet, you believe that you are eligible for assistance, the first step is to COMPLETELY FILL OUT and return the Lakewood Township Housing Rehabilitation Program Application along with ALL the documentation requested.

Incomplete application and/or documentation WILL NOT be accepted. DO NOT SUBMIT ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS, COPIES ONLY

Applications are logged into the Applicant Log Book on the date the COMPLETE application is reviewed and approved and will be served on a FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED BASIS.

If your application has been on file for more than six (6) months when it reaches the top of the Application Log Book, your eligibility must be re-verified based on the requirements at that present time.

If determined eligible, an appointment will be scheduled for an electrical inspection and a property inspection. You, or an adult representative, MUST be present for both inspections. A Work Write-up for rehabilitation work will be prepared based upon the results of these inspections. A copy of this Work Write-up will be forwarded to you for your review and comments.

Cost proposals will be solicited from general contractors for the work identified in the Work Write-up. A Rehabilitation Construction Contract will be executed between you and the selected contractor. The Program Building Inspector and the Homeowner will monitor the construction work in order to determine compliance with the Rehabilitation Contract. All work must be approved by the applicable Municipal Inspectors as well as the program Inspector prior to the contractor receiving payment.

What if I need help in applying?

Program staff is available to answer any questions or to provide assistance in completing the related forms.

For assistance, please contact:
Rehabco, Inc.
44 East Water Street,
Toms River, NJ 08753
(732)-477-7750

Between the hours of:
9:30 am and 4:00 pm Monday through Friday

THIS INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE.