Programs & Services

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Housing programs are open and available to eligible City of Lorain, owner-occupied residents only. Subject to fund(s) availability.

HOME Rehabilitation Loan Program

HOME We are here to help-ENGLISH logoThe City of Lorain’s new HOME Rehabilitation Loan Program affords eligible low-and-moderate income homeowners to make repairs on their home to improve the quality of their lives and create a positive effect in the surrounding neighborhood. The program provides up to $45,000 of home rehabilitation to owner-occupied houses in the City of Lorain.  

Applications are available by calling 440-204-2020 to speak with a member of the Housing Division. 

Related Documents:


RGLogo2022

Roof & Gutter Program (formerly Home Repair)

Please Call: 440-204-2020 for an application and brochure.

Maximum Eligible Area Median Income (AMI) 



EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS

The Emergency Assistance Program is designed to aid in mitigating the risk of housing instability in the City of Lorain due to financial hardships caused by or exemplified by the coronavirus pandemic. The City of Lorain and the Lorain County Urban League have designed a program to provide mortgage, rental, and/or utility assistance to low-to-moderate income Lorain residents who are facing risk of eviction, foreclosure, and/or disconnection of utility services to maintain safe, adequate, and stable housing while preventing homelessness. 


If you are interested in applying for any of these programs, please contact:

Lorain County Urban League
440-323-3364

Mortgage Assistance

Designed to help low-to-moderate income Lorain homeowners who have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic pay their mortgage.

You can receive up to 3 months of assistance, including up to 6 months of arrears or $15,000 (whichever comes first).

Eligibility
  • Lorain Occupied Homeowner 
  • Valid and current mortgage
  • Negatively Impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic
  • Low-to-moderate income

Rental Assistance

Designed to help low-to-moderate income Lorain residents who have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic pay their rent.

You can receive up to 3 months of assistance, including up to 6 months of arrears or $5,000 (whichever comes first).

Eligibility
  • Lorain resident
  • Valid and current lease agreement
  • Negatively Impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic
  • Low-to-moderate income

Utility Assistance

Utility assistance is a one-time assistance for gas, electricity, and/or internet (must be hardwired) for City of Lorain residents negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic up to $1,000. Due to the wide array of assistance available for utility services, applicants must also demonstrate their inability to maintain a payment play or receive assistance from other providers, including the utility provider.


FY 2022 Income Limits
Cleveland-Elyria, OH MSA
Household Size
Extremely Low (30%)
Low (50%)
Moderate (80%)
1$17,950 or less$17,951 - $29,900$29,901 - $47,850
2$20,500 or less$20,501 - $34,200$34,201 - $54,650
3$23,050 or less$23,051 - $38,450$38,451 - $61,500
4$25,600 or less$25,601 - $42,700$42,700 - $68,300
5$27,650 or less$27,651 - $46,150$46,151 - $73,800
6$29,700 or less$29,701 - 449,550$49,551 - $79,250
7
$31,750 or less
$31,751 - $52,950$52,951 - $84,700
8
$33,800 or less
$33,801 - $56,400$56,401 - $90,200


Weatherization Program 
(Furnace & Hot Water Tank Repair and Replacement)

For more information contact:

614-861-7992


Lead Abatement Program

For more information contact:
Erie County Health Department
419-626-5623


ARPA FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

The City of Lorain (the “City”) conducted a city-wide survey to determine the prioritization for the use of its American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. Based on these results, the needs of the community, and the importance of Non-Profit Services and Small Businesses, the City, through its Building, Housing, and Planning Department, has created the Non-Profit Relief Fund, the Relief & Recovery Fund, and the Storefront Renovation Program.

Applications are now available. Completed applications can be submitted via email OR dropped off at Lorain City Hall:

Department of Building, Housing, and Planning

200 W. Erie Ave. - 5th Floor 

Lorain, OH 44052

Any business or organization that primarily sells tobacco products, cigarettes, electronic smoking devices, THC, or vapor products as those terms are defined in Section 2927.02 of the Ohio Revised Code or operating as a sexually oriented business as that term is defined in Section 2907.40 of the Ohio Revised Code are ineligible for any program or service. 

Non-Profit Relief Fund (NRF)

Applications are available now!

This program intends to provide grant assistance to local Non-profit Organizations assisting disproportionately impacted communities that have been affected and negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and economic fallout. 

Grants will be provided based on financial need in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, based on funding availability and eligibility. 

Eligibility

  • Non-profit organization: Any organization registered at the local, state, and federal level that has been granted tax-exempt status by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) because it furthers a social cause and provides a public benefit within disproportionately impacted communities. The nonprofit must be located in the City of Lorain or serve individuals who reside in the City of Lorain. 

Use of Funds

  • Rent or Mortgage
  • General Operation or Organizational Expenses
  • Utilities
  • Payroll
  • Ancillary Impacted Organizational Needs

Relief & Recovery Fund (RRF)

Applications are available now!

This program intends to provide grant assistance to local hospitality, tourism, and other small businesses located within qualified census tracts that have been affected and negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and economic fallout. 

Eligibility

  • Small business: any business, registered at the local, state, and federal level with 25 or fewer employees and located in the City of Lorain
  • Hospitality & Tourism: A business, registered at the local, state, and federal level that provides lodging, food, and/or recreational services and is located in the City of Lorain. If a nonprofit organization fits within this category, please apply for the Nonprofit Relief Fund.

 Use of Funds

  • Rent or Mortgage
  • General Operating or Business Expenses
  • Utilities
  • Payroll
  • Ancillary Impacted Organizational Needs

 Grants will be provided based on financial need in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, based on funding availability and eligibility.

Minor Storefront Renovation Program (MSRP)

Applications are available now!

This program intends to assist businesses address code enforcement violations as well as create more aesthetic retail and commercial districts for a recovering economy from the COVID-19 pandemic. A renovation must be a new project. Funding is only available to eligible businesses located in a qualified census tract that has been affected and negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and economic fallout. 

Grants, up to $25,000, will be awarded based on financial need in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, availability of funding, evaluation of the business façade, and renovation proposals provided. 

Eligibility

  • Business or Non-Profit Storefront: any business or nonprofit registered at the local, state, and federal level with 50 or fewer employees and located in the City of Lorain
  • Commercial/Retail Building Owner: Any building owner located within an eligible zone (B-1, B-2, MU, I-1, and I-2) and qualified census tracts. Building Owner intends to lease space for new businesses must provide quarterly reporting data. 

Scope of Work and Eligible Renovations

  • Display windows
  • Upper floor windows in unoccupied residential
  • Awnings
  • Doors
  • Masonry repair
  • Painting
  • Paving
  • Bulkheads
  • Lighting
  • Landscaping with substantial façade renovation
  • Roofing as part of a larger project to protect the investment of the façade 
  • Signage (including removal of old signage, design, construction, and installation of new)
  • Additional façade improvements