Housing Rehabilitation

Based on available funding, the Housing Rehabilitation Program helps low-income homeowners to repair and or rehabilitate their homes, to include removal of architectural barriers by installing ramps or widening doorways. The loan is a zero interest rate loan forgivable after 5 years if the homeowner retains the property as his/her primary residence and does not default on property payments. For eligible low-income homeowners, the City will fund 100% of the eligible repairs up to $24,500.

• Preliminary Application and Guidelines(PDF, 424KB)
• Preliminary Application and Guidelines-Spanish(PDF, 430KB)

Criteria for Eligibility

• Primary residence that is not being offered for sale
• Arlington resident with homeownership for at least 3 months
• Household income within the low category for the HUD income limits. See HUD Income Limits(PDF, 551KB)
• Current on property taxes, insurance, and mortgage

Eligible Repairs/Improvements

• Install ramps, grab bars, and wheel chair accessible shower
• Widen doorways
• Electrical repairs
• Heating and plumbing repairs
• Structural repairs, especially roofs, porches, windows, and doors
• Repairs needed to meet City Code
• Replacement of essential built-in appliances
• Vinyl siding in lieu of exterior paint

Ineligible Repairs

• Luxury items
• Wall paper
• Flooring such as tile, hard wood floors, etc.
• Hot tubs, whirlpool baths, walk in soaker tubs
• Patios or decks
• Room additions
• Installation of fireplaces
• Window treatments (curtains, blinds, etc.)
• Additions that alter or increase the square footage of the residence
• Repairs otherwise covered by homeowner’s insurance

Application Process

Complete and return the application which can be obtained via the website or by contacting staff to request an application by mail. When your application is received, your name will be added to the waiting list. The current waiting list has a wait time of at least 12-24 months.

Based on available funding, the Emergency Repair Grant for Homeowners provides low-income homeowners with a one-time grant, up to $10,000 per three-year period, for emergency repairs to their home. An emergency is a situation or condition that occurred recently (generally within 90 days) without warning, that is detrimental to or a threat to life, health, or safety, and requires immediate action (i.e., 3 business days).

• Emergency Repair Application and Guidelines(PDF, 278KB)
• Emergency Repair Application and Guidelines - Spanish(PDF, 231KB)

Criteria for Eligibility

• Applicant's household may not have an income that exceeds the "Low-Income" category of HUD Income Limits(PDF, 551KB)
• Must be an Arlington homeowner and the home must be their primary residence
• The residence cannot be for sale

Examples of Eligible Repairs

• Air conditioning/heating units
• Plumbing
• Electrical

Application Process

Complete and return the application to the Housing Authority of the City of Arlington, 501 W. Sanford St., Suite 20, Arlington, TX 76011. The application can be obtained via the website or by contacting staff to request an application by mail. Applicants must provide all documentation listed in the application and additional documentation listed below:

• Photo identification
• Verification of all household income for persons over age 18
• Verification of all assets

Based on available funding, the Housing Modifications for the Disabled and Elderly Program assists low-income individuals and families with housing modifications their home to allow for greater mobility.

• Application Architectural Barrier Removal(PDF, 272KB)
• FAQs Tenant Modifications(PDF, 297KB)
• FAQs Homeowner Modifications(PDF, 374KB)

Eligibility

• Applicant households may not have an income that exceeds the "Low Income" category of HUD Income Limits(PDF, 551KB)
• The disabled or elderly person must have physical disabilities verified by a physician
• If rental property, the landlord must a provide a written agreement for the modifications to the home
• Must be an Arlington resident
• The property receiving modification must be the primary residence

Examples of Eligible Modifications

• Installations of ramps, safety rails, and "grab bars". (see Example of ramp(PDF, 151KB))
• Widening of door openings and adaptation of door handles
• Adaptations of kitchens and bathrooms
• Installation of non-skid flooring

Application Process

Applications must be complete and returned to the Housing Authority of the City of Arlington, 501 W. Sanford Street, Suite 20, Arlington, TX 76011. The following information must be provided with the application:

• Verification of all household income for persons 18 years and older
• The applicant's disabled condition must be documented by a referral agency or physician

The modification must be approved by the AHA.

In May 2010, the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) launched its Amy Young Barrier Removal Program (AYBRP), named in honor of one of the state's most passionate and persuasive advocates for Texans with disabilities, Amy Young.

Previously known as the HomeFree Barrier Removal and Rehabilitation Program, the AYBRP helps finance home modifications that include the addition of handrails and ramps, widening of doors, adjusting countertops and cabinets to appropriate heights, installation of buzzing or flashing devices for persons with visual or hearing impairments, and installation of accessible showers, toilets, and sinks.

The Program provides one-time grants for up to $20,000 per home with at least 75% of each home's total grant to be used for barrier removal. Up to 25% of each home's total grant may be used for health or safety hazard removal, unless otherwise approved by the TDHCA. Funds target qualifying individuals who earn no more than 80% of the area median family income. View HUD Income Limits(PDF, 551KB)

The Arlington Housing Authority (AHA) has been selected as an administrator of the program and will process the intake applications, verify eligibility and oversee construction for projects in Arlington, Texas.

The AHA began accepting applications on December 20, 2017, and created a waiting list. All applications received during the initial 30 days are placed in the first pool of applicants. All applications received after the initial 30 days were placed in the second pool of applicants. Name were randomly drawn from the first pool until all names were depleted. Then names were drawn from the second pool, according to date and time of application.

• AYBRP Application(DOC, 199KB)

Applications will be accepted at the Arlington Housing Authority Office located at 501 W. Sanford Street, Suite 20, Arlington, TX 76011 via regular mail, fax, email, or hand delivery.

If you need additional information or have questions, please call 817-276-6707 or email Housing.Rehab@arlingtonhousing.us

• AYBRP Brochure(PDF, 758KB)

The Amy Young Story

Amy, a public policy analyst with the Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities, passed away in September 2008 after a sudden illness, one year before TDHCA announced the new statewide housing program created in part from recommendations she had pushed for as part of an advocacy policy workgroup.

Amy not only gave shape to the much-needed program, she also urged the Department to offer the program through its state funded Housing Trust Fund (HTF), which provided greater flexibility and fewer regulatory restrictions than federally funded programs, making it an ideal vehicle for this initiative.

Although she was not able to see her efforts come to fruition, the Department named its Barrier Removal Program in Amy's honor as the program significantly improves the quality of life for hundreds of Texans with disabilities.