Homeowners seeking assistance with emergency home repairs can enroll in the 2016 Roof and Porch Repair program on one day: Friday, Sept. 4, 2015. State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) urges Chicagoans to take advantage of this opportunity.

Registration is open from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Eligible applicants will be chosen through a lottery process. Applicants can visit www.cityofchicago.org/roofandporch or call 311 to be placed on the intake list.

The City of Chicago also offers the Emergency Heating Repair Program. Open enrollment runs from Nov. 1 through April 1. Homeowners can call DPD’s customer service line at 312-744-3653 or visit City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle St., Room 1006, between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Applicants

Eligible properties must be located in Chicago, habitable, owner occupied and not at risk of foreclosure. All applicants must be income-eligible and can only receive a one-time service for roof and porch repair/replacement. Exception to the one-time assistance policy may be granted to homeowners who face heating emergencies even though they already have received roof or porch assistance.

Households earning 80 percent or less of the Area Median Income are eligible to participate in the program. The total gross income of all owners and other household members shall be included and may not exceed this limit. The gross incomes of all adults, 18 and older, who reside in the property, are included to determine income eligibility.

If the owner sells, transfers title or no longer occupies the unit within one year of the grant, the owner will be required to pay back the grant in its entirety.