Purpose: Assist owner-occupants with accessibility-related improvements (e.g., ramps, grab bars, or bathroom modifications).

Financial Assistance:

• Loan: Up to $20,000 at 0% interest, repaid over 10 years or due upon sale.
• Grant: Applicants who demonstrate a household income at or below 60% Area Median Income are eligible for a grant up to $7,500. Grant funds can be combined with loan.

Eligible Projects: Home improvements and modifications that enhance the interior or exterior safety or accessibility of the home are eligible projects. Examples include, but are not limited to: installing grab bars, accessible bathing facilities, accessible toilets, non-slip flooring, ramps, widening doorways, stair lifts, lighting improvements, handrails, zero-clearance door thresholds, etc.

Ineligible Projects: Home improvements and modifications that do not have an impact on safety or accessibility, are purely aesthetic in nature, or upgrade mechanical systems are not eligible projects.

Criteria specific to individual categories are listed under each category, but all categories share the following common eligibility criteria:

• Applicant must be the owner of the property that will be improved with the funding being requested or, in the case of down payment assistance, must be the owner-occupant of the property upon purchase.
• The property must be located within the Village of DeForest municipal boundaries.
• Household income must be at or below 80% of Area Median Income (AMI). In addition to income, the Village considers accessible household assets, including financial accounts, investments, retirement accounts, and certain higher-value primary residences (assessed at $500,000 or more). If total liquid assets exceed $150,000, 10% of those assets will be added to annual household income to determine eligibility. Households exceeding the AMI limit after this calculation will be ineligible. Vehicles, personal property, and other non-financial assets are excluded. Income Limit Chart (PDF)
• Applicant must contribute a minimum of 20% funding of total project costs and demonstrate a minimum household debt service coverage ratio of 1.05. This means that household income must be 1.05 times the amount needed to cover total household debt payments, including both mortgage and consumer debt.
• Applicant must submit a $50.00 application fee along with a completed application and supplemental materials, including:
  • Proof of income for all household members. This includes the most recently filed taxes (Form 1040) or a signed statement explaining non-filing, 60 days of income proof (paystubs, SSA, 401k benefit statements, bank statements reflecting income deposits, etc.)
  • A copy of the homeowner’s insurance policy.
  • A completed IRS Form W-9.
  • For Accessibility project, hazard mitigation project, and home improvement project loans:
    • Construction plans, design materials, or other descriptive project documentation, and a tentative project schedule. Projects must be substantially completed within twelve (12) months of funding approval, unless otherwise approved by the Village Board.
    • Itemized description of the proposed/estimated cost for labor and materials necessary for completing the project. All project work must pass all requisite inspections.