IMPORTANT NOTICE

WHR Program Pause

as of June 1, 2024

We have been humbled by the overwhelming response to the Chester County Whole Home Repairs program, with far more requests for assistance than anticipated. Unfortunately, despite our best efforts, it will not be possible to accommodate every applicant with the current funding.  In response to the greater than expected demand for assistance, beginning June 1, 2024 we have instituted the WHRP Interest List.  By completing the form below, you are indicating that you wish to be notified immediately when the WHRP Application process reopens so that you can apply. 

WHRP Interest List Form: 

Through the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, the Whole Home Repairs Program (WHRP) was created to assist homeowners with home improvements to ensure safety and habitability, energy efficiency and accessibility for individuals with disabilities.  WHRP is administered by the PA Department of Community & Economic Development and locally by the Chester County Department of Community Development (CC-DCD) and its assigned Fulfillment Agencies.

• Grant period: funds must be obligated and expended by December 31, 2026.
• Homeowners must be residents of the property.  No landlords.
• Services for homeowners are limited to critical home repairs as outlined below.
• Assistance cannot exceed $24,999 per household for home repairs.
• All applicants will be required to submit an initial screening application and to provide proof of income and other eligibility documentation as requested by the assigned fulfillment agency.  See details below.
• Completing an application does not guarantee approval.  This program is expected to generate a high-demand for services.  The Fulfillment agencies will assist as many homeowners as possible within their assigned funding constraints.         

Good Works, Inc., Good Neighbors, Habitat for Humanity Chester County and the Housing Partnership are the fulfillment agencies chartered by CC-DCD to provide WHRP-approved home repair services for homeowners. 

• Applicants living in mobile homes can receive home repairs if they own the trailer, regardless of whether they own the land or pay rent.
• Applicants will need to reapply if they are requesting additional funds and they have not exceeded the $24,999 assistance limit.

Repairs may include, but are not limited to:

The Program will not provide for:  Large-Scale Mold Remediation, Additions, Cosmetic Improvements or certain other repairs that exceed the $24,999 maximum threshold.

• A household is defined as one or more individuals who are obligated to pay a mortgage on a residential dwelling.  
• Households can also receive home repair assistance if they have paid off their mortgage.
• Proof of ownership of a residential dwelling must be provided. (Only one of these is needed.)
  • Deed of property
  • Mortgage bill that shows the applicant’s name and property address
  • Mobile home title
  • Real estate tax bill
  • Utility bill that is in the name of the applicant only and shows the property address
  • Verification from the County Recorder of Deeds
  • Any other verification method that is approved by DCED
• Property Taxes must be current.
• Homeowners cannot own multiple properties.

• Household income does not exceed 80% of the total area median income (AMI) as defined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Developments Income Limits.
• Homeowners are required to complete and sign a self-certification/self-attestation of annual income disclosing the total annual household income and all eligible sources of income for all occupants.
  • Earned income or unemployment compensation for minors under the age of 18 (or full-time high school students) does not have to be documented. 

80% Area Median Income Chart (2023)

Income Determination details are highlighted below.

• Once an Intake Application is received, it will be assigned to the appropriate Fulfillment Agency, either Good Works, Good Neighbors, Habitat for Humanity or Housing Partnership based on geographic area and other criteria.
• The assigned Fulfillment Agency will provide an Application for Assistance which requires information over and above what was asked on the Intake Form. Once the Application is received and reviewed for compliance with WHRP Eligibility Requirements, the applicant will be notified and if approved, placed on the Waiting List. 
• When it is your turn, the Fulfillment Agency will conduct an inspection of the property to assess the scope of work to be performed to ensure it falls within the scope of the Program.
• If approved, the homeowner will be provided a WHRP Award Letter and Grant Agreement along with additional forms as required before work begins. 
• Homeowners will be notified when work will begin which could occur at anytime between October 1, 2023 and December 31, 2026.  Proposed start date for the repair work will be based on the order Applications are received and approved and the criticality of repairs needing accomplished and is subject to change.
• Homeowners will be requested to sign-off on the work when it is accomplished.

Download and print the WHRP Intake Application below

or call to request a copy be mailed to you at: 610-713-8088. 

Complete the Intake Application and return via US Mail to:

GW-WHRP, PO Box 1441, Coatesville, PA 19320

or email to: WHRP@goodworksinc.org

1. Income Inclusions

a. Income is defined as cash receipts earned and/or received by the clients before taxes and deductions but not the Income Exclusions listed immediately below.

b. All income that is not specifically excluded must be included.

c. Cash receipts include, but are not limited to, the following:

i. Money, wages and salaries before taxes and any deductions

ii. Net receipts from non-farm or farm self-employment (receipts from a person's own business or from an owned or rented farm less deductions for business or farm expenses)

iii. Regular payments from social security including SSDI, railroad retirement, unemployment compensation, strike benefits from union funds, worker's compensation, veteran's payments, training stipends, alimony, and military family allotments

iv. Private pensions, government employee pensions (including military retirement pay), and regular insurance or annuity payments

v. Dividends and/or interest

vi. Net rental income and net royalties

vii. Periodic receipts from estates or trusts

viii. Net gambling or lottery winnings

2. Income Exclusions:

The following cash receipts are not considered sources of income for the purposes of determining income eligibility:

a. Earned income or unemployment compensation for minors under the age of 18 (or full-time high school students)

b. Capital gains

c. Any assets drawn down as withdrawals from a bank

d. Money received from the sale of property, house, or car

e. One-time payments from a welfare agency to a family or person who is in temporary financial difficulty

f. Tax refunds

g. Gifts, loans, or lump-sum inheritances

h. College scholarships

i. One-time insurance payments, or compensation for injury

j. The value of food and fuel produced and consumed on farms

k. The imputed value of rent from owner-occupied non-farm or farm housing;

l. Depreciation for farm or business assets;

m. Combat zone pay to the military

n. Reverse Mortgages

o. Payments for the care of Foster Children

p. Child Support - Whether received by the Payee or paid by the Payor, child support payments are not considered sources of Income for the purposes of determining income eligibility.

i. Payee: Child support received by a Payee from any state program or individual during an applicable tax year is not considered income (and is excluded) for the purposes of determining eligibility.

ii. Payor: Child support paid by a Payor through a state program and/or to an individual may not be deducted from income (and is included) for the purposes of determining eligibility.

q. Non-cash benefits

i. Non-cash benefits refer to benefits that the client does not pay as cash or receive as cash. These may include:

1. Employee fringe benefits, food, or housing received in lieu of wages;

2. The employer- or union-paid portion of health insurance;

3. The non-cash components of Federal non-cash benefit programs such as Medicare, Medicaid, Food Stamps, school lunches, and housing assistance.

4. Deductions from a paycheck are not considered non-cash and would, therefore, be included. Examples include:

a. Included as Income: If a client’s regular social security is $10,000 per year, but 10% is automatically deducted for Medicare, then the client only receives $9,000. When figuring income for WHRP, though, this client’s annual income from Social Security is $10,000, not $9,000 because this is not considered a non-cash benefit.

b. Excluded from Income: If the same client receives, through Medicare, non-cash medical services (prescription drugs, a surgery, or some other non-cash service) valuing $30,000, these services would be excluded because they are non-cash benefits. In this case, the client’s income is still $10,000, not $40,000.