The Executive Director of Dutchtown South Community Corporation (DSCC), Kelly Kress, presented on the following financial assistance programs available to DWNA neighbors at the June 9, 2009 DWNA monthly meeting:

MSD – Low Income Sewer Assistance Program:
The program is available to single family homeowners who are low-income, elderly, and/or disabled and receive sewer and storm service from MSD. Qualified participants will receive a rate reduction equal to 50% off their bill. Do You Qualify? Own and reside in property full-time. Property is a single family residence. Income eligible: Example for 1 Person Household: Low-Income – $10,830; Disabled: $16,245; or Senior: $18,953. For more details visit the MSD website here.

For more information or for an application call Dutchtown South Community Corporation (DSCC) at 352-4865. You may also call MSD at 1-866-281-5737.

Urban League – Weatherization Program (for homeowners and renters):
Are Costly Utility Bills Getting You Down? The Urban League can help with insulation, window & door caulking, dryer venting, furnace repair/replacement, and hot water tank repair. Weatherization Guidelines: 1) gas must be on; 2) the address may not have been weatherized after 9/30/1993; and 3) household must meet income guidelines. Income Guidelines: 1 Person Household – $21,660; 2 Person Household – $29,140; and 3 Person Household – $36,620.

For more information or for an application call Dutchtown South Community Corporation (DSCC) at 352-4865. You may also call the Urban League at 615-3612 or 615-3600.

Missouri Department of Revenue – Circuit Breakers (for homeowners and renters):
If you are homeowner receive a percentage of your paid property taxes back. If you are a renter receive up to 20% of your rent back. To qualify you must be 65 years old or disabled. If you previously qualified, but did not file for your tax credit you may go back up to three years.

For more information call the Missouri Department of Revenue Tax Assistance Center in St. Louis at (314) 877-0177 or send an email to propertytaxcredit@dor.mo.gov.

Missouri Housing Development Commission (MHDC) – Refinance Loan Program:
The Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 (HERA) temporarily made refinancing an allowed use of tax-exempt bond authority through December 31, 2010. The new mortgage loan must refinance an existing mortgage on a single family (owner-occupied) residence that was originally financed through a qualified subprime loan. The law defines subprime loan as an adjustable rate mortgage loan made after 12/31/01 and before 1/1/08 that MHDC determines will present a financial hardship if it is not refinanced. Financial hardship is determined to exist if the borrower is currently paying or will be paying (after the next loan reset) more than 31% of their income towards the loan. Refinancing of an existing subprime home loan is justified when the following can be accomplished with refinancing: 1) the new principal and interest payment can be lowered by at least $100 per month; 2) the new mortgage loan is written as a fixed rate mortgage that provides an interest rate at least 1% point lower than the current rate; and 3) the homeowner’s finances indicate the homeowner will be able to repay the new loan successfully and sustain homeownership. Borrower must receive face-to-face counseling from a HUD approved credit counseling agency.

Call MHDC for more information at 1-800-246-7973.

City of St. Louis – SLATE Urban Force:
Businesses Needed: Summer Job Program for St. Louis City youth between the ages of 14 and 24. Youth summer employment should be a work experience intended to increase work readiness skills of participants. Employers should commit to at least 6 weeks. Youth will work between 30-35 hours a week. SLATE will pay for the youth.

Businesses wishing to employ youth may contact SLATE at 314-589-8009 or apply online at www.summerjobs.mo.gov.

City of St. Louis – Healthy Home Repair Program:
The program provides home repairs for residents of the City of St. Louis. $5000 forgivable loan does not have to be paid back if you stay in your home for at least 5 years. Also an additional $5000 deferred payment loan is available which you do not have to pay back if you never leave your home. Income and other eligibility requirements must be met to qualify. The waiting list for the program is between 2-3 years.

For more information call the Healthy Home Repair Program Hotline at 314-259-3431 (leave a message).

Home Services Incorporated:
- Home Maintenance Assistance (No Major Home Repairs) for individuals 55+ and/or disabled. Must live in the City of St. Louis and be current on your property taxes.

- Air Conditioners available for homeowners and renters – first come, first served. For more information call Home Services at 771-5000.
Lead Evaluation & Remediation Services:
Lead Safe St. Louis: 314-612-5350. Will provide general information on prevention education and lead hazard reduction programs.

City of St. Louis Health Department Lead Services: 314-612-5450. The Health Department will provide information on blood testing and health management.

City of St. Louis Building Division – Lead Inspection & Hazard Control Section: 314-641-8677.
Contact the Building Division for more information about property compliance, inspections, and remediation. Lead Remediation Funds are used to reduce Lead-Based Paint Hazards by the City Building Division’s “Detox Crew” when a child is know to have been lead poisoned. The funds may be used for owner-occupied homes with children under 6 or pregnant women if the household income is under $75,000 per year.

City of St. Louis Community Development Administration (CDA): 641-8255 or 641-8327. Contact CDA for information on grants for home remediation. Window Replacement Program: owners of multi-family buildings with two or more units may be eligible for reimbursement of up to $200 per window for the installation of new double hung windows for up to 10 windows per unit. Multi-Family Lead Remediation Program: developer reimbursed (restrictions apply) to make units lead-safe – units must be marketed to low/moderate income families with children.

Urban League: 615-3654. The Lead Remediation Program creates lead-safe environments in the homes of low-income St. Louis City Families with children under age six and/or with children who have been identified with elevated lead counts. The Lead Remediation Program performs tests to identify lead hazards and to make homes lead healthy. Must be at or below 20% area median income to qualify: 1 Person Household = $11,500. Call the Urban League at 615-3654 for more information.