Homeowner Program 

The Whole-Home Repairs Program will provide funding to address habitability and safety concerns, provide measures to improve energy or water efficiency and make units accessible for individuals with disabilities.

The owner-occupied portion of the WHRP will be treated as a forgivable grant. If ownership transfers within ten (10) years of project completion; a portion of your WHRP project expenses will be recouped at the time of your settlement. Every year on the anniversary of project completion, the grant will be reduced by 10%.

For example: If you chose to sell your home between five (5) and six (6) years after WHRP completion, you will owe half of the total project costs from your settlement proceeds.

The WHRP covers the following: new roofs, windows, doors, structural items, sidewalks, curbs, and other major systems of a home. Additionally, ADA ramps, doors ways, bathroom fixtures, etc. are covered. The minimum project amount is $5,000.

Renovations and appliances are not covered under the WHRP.

For example, the program will not replace carpet with new flooring, nor will it cover the cost to add a new back splash or appliances to your kitchen.

Maintenance items are also not covered.

Examples of maintenance items are heating/cooling system filters, duct cleaning, and water softener filters.

For more information regarding what is covered, please see the guidelines located on our website.

An applicant’s total household income must be at or below the following Area Median Income (AMI)

Family Size / Income Limit

1 person - $52,500
2 people - $60,000
3 people - $67,500
4 people - $74,950
5 people - $80,950
6 people - $86,950
7 people - $92,950
8 people - $98,950

Total household income is determined by calculating the annual household’s income.

If a family member is living with you temporarily, their income may be excluded. A form will be provided to explain the situation. This will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

A completed WHRP application must include all income verification documents. Additionally, any investment income documents or anything else deemed necessary must be provided by the applicant.

If you are ready to apply, please go to: bcwhrp.org

No.

You will have thirty (30) calendar days to complete and submit your application. After thirty (30) days, your application will be denied.

You will have fourteen (14) calendar days to submit the missing information or submit the correct information. You will be notified by a phone call or email from the application reviewer. The fourteen (14) calendar days start from the day you are notified.

Yes. Berks County’s WHRP application and documents will be provided in English and Spanish. The WHRP will provide support for other language speakers upon request.

Yes, you will have to seek your own contractors for the repairs on your home.

A minimum of two bids are needed for each repair. The lowest bid determines the amount awarded. The homeowner has the right to select a contractor with a higher bid, but the difference in cost will be the homeowner’s responsibility. (See #9) If you have multiple repairs, the program administrators recommend selecting a general contractor. Example: you need a new roof, windows, and masonry work. Instead of calling six different companies to individually quote each item. It will be more efficient to only call two general contractors that can quote every item and submit one estimate.

As a convenience to the property owner, a list of bidders currently active in the Program shall be provided but the owner is under no obligation to select from the list.

The contractor must have:

1. Evidence of comprehensive public liability insurance coverage protecting the owner for not less than $100,000/$300,000 in the event of bodily injury including death and $100,000/$300,000 in the event of property damage arising from the work performed by the contractor. Such evidence of insurance shall be in the form of a certificate with a ten (10) day cancellation notice to the property owner and the County.
2. Evidence of worker's compensation insurance while performing work for the program. Such evidence of insurance shall be in the form of a certificate with a ten (10) day cancellation notice to the property owner and the County.

No. A homeowner may not make any direct repairs to the home with the WHRP funding.

The Program will only subsidize the lowest qualified bid. The difference between the bids can be made up by the homeowner(s).

The winning contractor will submit an invoice to the homeowner and the program administrator.

A program administrator will schedule a final walkthrough with the homeowner to make sure all work was done according to the Work Write-ups and bids. A final Payment Request will be signed off by the homeowner, program administrator, and contractor.

The Berks County Redevelopment Authority will send the payment to the contractor directly within twenty business days.

The WHRP will not pay deposits. However, the winning contractor can submit a material invoice before the work begins. (It is encouraged to make this known to your contractor before setting up an estimate). Additionally, the homeowner and the winning contractor will sign three documents.

These include a homeowner/contractor proposal and a homeowner/contractor agreement. The program administrator will provide all documents. Blank copies can be downloaded on the website for you and your contractor to review prior to bidding. These documents are in addition to a typical proposal or estimate supplied by the winning contractor.