News

Low-interest, deferred loans are now available for low-ish income residents to conduct home repairs or even energy efficiency upgrades, according to a press release from the county's economic development division. Read on...

Here's the fine print:

• You must own and occupy your home as your primary residence in order to qualify.

• It has to be within county limits, of course.

• The paycheck cutoff is 80 percent or less of the county's median income. That means a family of two can make no more than $35,700 per year; a family of four -- $44,650.

• This is indeed a loan -- not a grant -- but monthly payments will not be required. In fact, you don't even have to pay it back until you sell the place or move out.

• This is not a green light to pimp your pad: "The program stipulates that the home may not be valued over $299,250 after [the] work has been completed," the release states.

• Rehab projects can include health and safety code items, roofs, foundations, paint, plumbing, electrical and septic systems as well as efficiency upgrades.

The money's coming from a grant courtesy of the California Department of Housing and Community Development.

For more info you can call the County Economic Development Division at 445-7745.