Address

Newton City Hall
1000 Commonwealth Ave
Newton Centre, MA 02459
617-796-1000
TDD/TTY 617-796-1089

Hours

Monday - Friday
8:30am-5:00pm
Tuesday
8:30am- 8:00pm

Contact the WebTeam

FAQs - Newton Housing Rehabilitation Program (NHRF)

The NHRF Program is funded through Newton’s Community Development Block Grant. These federal funds are used to provide financial and technical assistance to Newton owners to rehabilitate structures, remove hazards, provide access for people with disabilities and conserve energy.

  • Do I have to live in Newton to receive funding?

Yes, only Newton residents and Newton properties are eligible for program funds. Many neighboring towns have similar programs.

  • Are all Newton Homeowners eligible for funding, and are rental units eligible for funding?

No. The program is limited to low/moderate income households, but rental units may be eligible if occupied by low/moderate families.

  • What types of repairs are eligible?

The purpose of the NHRF Program is to “make homes safe and sanitary”. Therefore any repairs needed to do so are eligible. Generally, many additional items such as upgrading of obsolete mechanical facilities, kitchens and bathrooms as well as exterior and interior upgrades are eligible. Property improvements such as additions, extra bathrooms etc. are not eligible except when they remove architectural impediments for people with disabilities. Our Rehabilitation Specialists will assist each applicant throughout the process from initial inspection to completion of work.

Application Packages are available at the Housing Office, 492 Waltham Street, West Newton, and on the City of Newton website – http//www.ci.newton.ma.us

Housing Office staff are available to assist with all aspects of the process.

If you would like to receive an application by mail, or if you would like to schedule an appointment with a Housing Office staff person, please call 617-796-1150

  • What kinds of financial assistance might I be eligible for?

Grants are available for low-income clients and grant funding is available for hazard abatement and removal of architectural barriers for people with disabilities. Both direct payment and deferred loans are also available at very low interest rates. Each individual project is underwritten by our Housing Finance Officers in accordance with federal and program guidelines to provide the most beneficial funding package to the applicant. Technical assistance is provided to assist with plans/specifications, contractor procurement and selection and to monitor quality of contractor performance

  • I have children in my household. Are funds available for deleading and do I have to remove lead hazards?

Yes, you must make the unit lead safe. We do provide grant funding to assist in lead abatement.

  • I have no young children (under 7) in my household. Do I have to worry about lead paint?

To meet federal regulations we are required to make a determination about the existence of lead hazards in all units assisted with federal funds. You may well have to include some abatement and/or use lead safe construction practices to be eligible for funding. Again, grant funds are available to assist you.

  • Do I have to relocate during construction?

In some instances yes, particularly during the abatement of lead hazards relocation is needed. The program does provide financial assistance to defray relocation costs.

8. Are there special grant programs for seniors?

Yes. Grants of up to $3,000 are available to do repair work in units of senior citizen (age 62 and older) and in units of persons with physical disabilities. Generally the work is of a much smaller scale but all of the above technical assistance is available to clients. The application process is much simplified with a short, self-qualifying application and a much expedited processing procedure.

For more information contact the Planning & Development Department’s Newton Housing Office at 617-796-1150.