Nonprofit offers help for housing repairs

PHOTO BY KRISTI PIHL STANWOOD/CAMANO NEWS In addition to a new roof, two back porches were repaired on Kim's Lake Goodwin area home using a loan from the Housing Authority of Snohomish County. The new shingles and porches fit seamlessly with Kim Smith's Lake Goodwin area home.

Her father built the original wood A-frame, and later, Kim and her husband built the addition.

Kim had recently injured the rotator cuff in her right shoulder, and was unable to fix the leaking shake roof herself.

She had temporarily fixed the leaks the year before, with plans for a permanent fix this year. With her injury, that was no longer possible.

The latest repairs to Kim's home were made possible through a loan from the Housing Authority of Snohomish County's housing rehabilitation loan program.

The program aids low- and median-income homeowners in paying for home repairs, said Mark Papritz, the nonprofit's rehabilitation construction lead.

The loans can range from 0 to 3 percent, depending on the homeowner's income, and are given for substantial repairs, such as a leaking roof or a failing septic system, he said.

After contacting the Housing Authority, Kim said they checked her income and credit history and visited her house.

The Housing Authority helped oversee the work that Alpine Builders of Stanwood did. Kim is satisfied with the work.

However, the loan enabled Kim to get more than just her roof fixed. In addition, the porches on her home were repaired, and new counters and a bathroom floor were installed.

The Housing Authority's loan targets one problem, but can assist with other maintenance issues, Papritz said.

The nonprofit helps area residents secure decent housing, he said. Part of that goal includes helping homeowners maintain their homes.

The loan program focuses on health and safety issues, Papritz said. Its funding comes from the U.S. Department of Housing and Development. The nonprofit may also receive federal stimulus funds to help with the weatherization and energy efficiency aspect of its loan program.

Papritz encourages the public to call the Housing Authority to see if they qualify for the program.

Without the help, Kim isn't sure what she would have done. She said she could have tried to get a loan from a bank, but they would have charged a market interest rate, whereas the Housing Authority's loans range from 0 to 3 percent interest.

After her experience, Kim said she would recommend the program to other homeowners with needed repairs.

Kim requested her last name be changed for this article.

To contact the Housing Authority's housing rehabilitation loan program, call Jackie at 425-290-8499 ext. 555 or 425- 743-4505 ext. 555.

Staff Reporter Kristi Pihl: 629-8066 (ext. 125) or kpihl@ scnews.com.