BBC refers residents to a wide array of housing programs for both homebuyers as well as homeowners and tenants interested in repairing and improving their homes. Please note that each of these programs may require applicants to qualify based on income, age, occupancy, and/or other criteria.  Information in this listing is not guaranteed to be accurate, as programs oftentimes change in availability and eligibility criteria.

For more information about those programs and services listed as well as others that may be available to residents of Central and Kinsman, please call BBC at (216) 341-1455 or email us.  Staff can also help identify programs and services best for residents.

To support BBC in ensuring that disadvantaged persons from some of Cleveland’s poorest communities have safe and healthy housing, please donate or volunteer.

Free Programs & Services

Emergency Furnace Repair Program
BBC provides furnace checks and cleanings to low-income residents of our service area — the Central and Kinsman neighborhoods — free of charge from October through March depending on the availability of funding.  The objective of the program is to ensure that their heating systems operated safely and efficiently.  Repairs are made when deemed necessary by experts. For more information, please contact Roy Love at BBC at (216) 341-1455.

Home Repair Assistance Program (HRAP)
BBC performs critical health and safety repairs for a limited number of low-income households each year, depending on the availability of funding. Applicants must live in our service area and meet income guidelines. For more information, please contact Roy Love at BBC at (216) 341-1455.

Home Weatherization Assistance Program (HWAP)
BBC has partnered with other organizations to provide weatherization services to income-eligible households in Central and Kinsman.  Participants may receive up to $6,500 in free home improvements that include the insulation of attic and sidewalls, if possible; crawlspace insulation; appropriate venting; air leakage work; hot water tank wrap; and, furnace check/repair (if necessary).  For more information, please visit Cleveland Housing Network’s website here.

Senior Homeowner Assistance Program (SHAP)
The City of Cleveland Department of Aging’s Senior Homeowner Assistance Program provides grants to Cleveland residents age sixty and over or disabled adults who meet income eligibility guidelines and own single- or two-family homes in need of critical, health, safety and maintenance repairs. Applicants must live in the property in question and be able to show clear title.  Typical home repairs provided through the program include replacement roofs, porches and bathrooms.  For more information, please click here or call (216) 664-2833.

Community Housing Solutions
Community Housing Solutions, formerly Lutheran Housing Corporation, oftentimes provides grants to income-eligible households for health and safety home repairs.  For more information, please call (216) 651-0077.

Other Programs for Seniors
Eligible senior citizens can receive assistance with home maintenance, general and heavy house cleaning, lawn mowing, painting, simple home repairs, and much more for no charge through the City of Cleveland Department of Aging.  Call (216) 664-2833 or click here for more information.

Cleveland Cuyahoga Healthy Homes Program
Owners and tenants with children under the age of 16, or seniors above the age of 65, that have a doctor diagnosed respiratory condition may receive various repairs.  These repairs may include specialized cleaning, removal of water damaged materials, insulating the home, furnace and hot water tank repairs, and senior safety items.  Income guidelines apply.  For more information, please contact the Cuyahoga County Board of Health at (216) 201-2001 x 1524 or visit the program website.

Smoke Detectors for Cleveland Residents
The Red Cross and Cleveland Fire Department are providing free smoke detectors and batteries to Cleveland residents. Installation will be performed by firefighters at no cost. For more information and to apply, please call the Save-a-Life 24-hour hotline at (216) 361-5535 or click here.

2023 Exterior Paint Program
Download the program application to apply for a paint voucher.

Property Tax Reduction Programs

Cuyahoga County Auditor Homestead Program
The Cuyahoga County Auditor’s office can help significantly reduce property taxes each year.  To qualify, one spouse must be at least sixty-five years of age, and own and occupy their home. There are no income guidelines. For more information, please call (216) 443-7050 or click here.

Utility Reduction Programs

Cleveland Water Department Homestead Program
Senior Citizens sixty-five years of age and older that receive less than $31,000 annually can sign up for discounted water bills. Please contact customer service at (216) 664-3130.

Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District Homestead Program
District customers age sixty-five or older, or to anyone under sixty-five who is totally disabled may be eligible to receive a rate decrease on their sewer bills.  Applicants must have a household income of $32,500 or less, and must own and occupy their property.  Please call (216) 881-8247 or click here for more information.

Residential Waste Collection Fee Exemption
This is a partial exemption that addresses senior citizens 65 and older and/or disabled residential property owners with an annual income of $31,000 or less who reside in their property. In this case, one may be eligible for a reduced monthly charge of $4.38 rather than $8.75. Please note that if you are currently applying for and/or receiving the Homestead Water and Sewer exemption, you will have applied and/or will receive the Homestead Waste Collection reduced monthly charge. More information can be found here.

Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)
Eligible low-income households can receive assistance with the high costs of heating their homes to avoid a discontinuation of service.  For an application, please click here.

Low-Interest Loan Programs

Repair-A-Home
Administered by the City of Cleveland, the Repair-A-Home program assists residents of owner-occupied homes with loans at rates of zero to three percent, based on the borrower’s income. The Repair-A-Home program first will address code violations in the home. Click here for more information.

Neighborhood Housing Services (NHS) Home Repair Loan
NHS provides loans for various repairs for home owners. Applicants can borrow up to $60,000 and there are no income restrictions. The program is limited to owner-occupied homes of up to four units. Please click here for more information.

Housing Enhancement Loan Program (HELP)
The Home Enhancement Loan Program allows homeowners to borrow money for repairing or remodeling homes at three percentage points below a bank’s market rate for home improvement loans. HELP has no restrictions on a borrower’s income and few limitations on what improvements can be made to a property. Both owner occupied and investment properties are eligible. For additional information, please click here or call 216-443-2149.

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