Grant Programs

RCHR ACCESS To Home Program

Assistance available to provide increased physical accessibility to homes, including building ramps, widening doorways, etc. Up to $25,000 in assitance for disabled and elderly individuals with incomes under 60% of area median income (See below). Program is available anywhere in Rensselaer County for both homeowners & renters.

Contact RCHR/TRIP HomeOwnership Center 690-0020

ONLINE FORMS (.PDF):

• ACCESS to Home Applicant Letter
• ACCESS to Home Application (Please note, this document is Legal Sized)
• ACCESS to Home Application Checklist

To view these documents you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader.

RCHR RESTORE Program

Assistance up to $7,500 to senior homeowners, age 60 or older, with household income at or below 60% of AMI (See below). Eligible repairs must be emergency, health & safety issues.

Program is available to homeowners living anywhere in Rensselaer County. Taxes & Mortgage (if applicable) must be up-to-date.

Contact RCHR/TRIP HomeOwnership Center at 690-0020.

ONLINE FORMS (.PDF):

• RESTORE Letter to Applicants
• RESTORE Application (please note, this is legal sized)
• RESTORE Application Checklist

To view these documents you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader.

NYSERDA's Assisted Home Performance

Households with an income equal to or lower than 80% of area median income (See below), can receive additional financial incentives through Assisted Home Performance with ENERGY STAR®.

If you are income-eligibile, you may receive assistance to cover up to 50% of the cost of energy improvements.

Single Family: 50% of the cost of energy improvements with a maximum of $5,000 may be available to income eligible homeowners.

Renters: Income-qualified tenants can receive up to a 50% subsidy towards the purchase of ENERGY STAR appliances and lighting or other energy-reducing products.

2-4 family Building Owners: Assisted Home Performance with ENERGY STAR will perform work in 2-4 unit buildings where either the owner is income qualified and occupies one of the units, or tenants are income-qualified.

An income qualified owner that occupies a unit in a 2-4 unit building can receive a subsidy of up to $5,000 for the whole building without any income verification required for the tenants. A higher subsidy, up to a total of $10,000 per building, may be available if tenants also are income eligible.

Visit website: GET ENERGY SMART - Low Income Incentives  for more information.

CEO Weatherization and Home Repair

Energy audit and weatherization for homes throughout Rensselaer County, including electrical, heating, plumbing, carpentry for basic safety and comfort. Limited to households earning under 60% of area median income. In the City of Troy, priority is given to the elderly, disabled and other homeowners. Contact CEO at 272-6012 or via website at http://www.ceo-cap.org/housing_services/.

City of Troy's Housing & Energy Improvement Program

The City of Troy's HH&EIP Grant is a Federal Housing Initiative to preserve and enhance the structural quality, livability, and value of the City of Troy's housing stock. Eligible costs under the HH&EIP shall include the minimum cost of labor and materials required to improve residential properties in Troy. Grant amounts may not exceed $5,000.00. The applicant is not entitled to the full amount of the grant if the full amount is not needed to make the necessary repair. If the cost of repair exceeds the grant amount, the homeowner can contribute to the balance of expenses incurred over $5,000.00 to complete the necessary repair. However, it may be determined by the Housing Rehab Specialist that the repair will exceed $5,000.00 maximum, and if the applicant is unable to cover the balance of the repair the project will be deemed unfeasible and the application will be rejected. Homeowners may re-apply annually and may choose more that one housing improvement option each year provided that the total federal grant amount does not exceed $5,000.00. 1 or 2 unit homes are eligible. Eligible homeowners must earn under 80% of area median income.

Call the City Planning Department at 270-4476 or visit the City’s website.

HUD Area Median Income (AMI) for Rensselaer County

*HUD's Definition of First Time Homebuyer:

• You are purchasing a home for the first time.
• You previously owned a home, but have not owned property for the past three years.
• You owned a home with a spouse, but have since separated from your spouse and will purchase a home for the first time on your own.