Home Maintenance Incentive Rebate Program





The mission of the Home Maintenance Incentive Rebate Program (“HMIRP”) is to provide financial incentives in the form of cash grants to stimulate preservation of the housing stock in the City’s mature neighborhoods, to eradicate substandard housing conditions, and to eliminate and prevent slums and blighting influences, for the benefit of low and moderate income individuals and families.

Port Hueneme’s housing rehabilitation efforts are targeted exclusively within the Neighborhood Strategy Area (“NSA”) and the Bolker Park single family homes. Eligible properties are at least ten years old and not a part of a Planned Unit Development or governed by a homeowner’s association. HMIRP operates as an incentive. Therefore, property improvements which correct code violations and deferred property maintenance must be completed before rebate funding may be used to offset costs of general property improvements. See Target Area Map for eligible neighborhoods.

The Home Maintenance Incentive Rebate Program is a system of cash grants paid to income eligible owner-occupants who undertake certain residential property improvements in accordance with the City’s Neighborhood Preservation Program Guidelines. The amount of each grant is based upon a percentage of the total verified amount spent by the owner on eligible improvements.

What is an eligible property improvement? Eligible work under HMIRP is limited to exterior improvements visible from the public right-of-way that will enhance the exterior appearance of the property. Therefore stucco, roofing, exterior painting, windows, garage doors, driveways, landscaping, and fences are all eligible but interior improvements like floor covering and new cabinets are not. See the City’s Residential Rehabilitation Loan Program for assistance with projects involving both interior and exterior work. All HMIRP projects are managed by the owners and the City is not involved in approving contractors, monitoring the quality of workmanship or paying laborers or contractors.

What is an eligible expenditure? Eligible expenses ($500 minimum) include all materials, permits, and rental equipment necessary to complete the eligible improvements. Labor expenses are also eligible provided the contractor or business performing the labor holds a valid City of Port Hueneme business license. Labor performed by persons who hold a City business license but not a valid California Contractor’s license may also be eligible provided the labor is billed as hourly wages only and materials are purchased separately by the owner. Labor performed by the owner, a relative of the owner, or a member of the owner’s household is not an eligible expenditure for the purposes of the HMIRP.

How do I know if I am income eligible? Current income limits for low and moderate income households effective December 1, 2011 are as follows:

Family Size	1	2	3	4	5	6
Low	$47,400	$54,150	$60,900	$67,650	$73,100	$78,500
Moderate	$75,000	$85,700	$96,450	$107,150	$115,700	$124,300

Household income includes gross wages (before deductions), tips, bonuses, commissions, unemployment, social security, SSI, pensions, CalWorks, child support, alimony, disability payments, workers compensation, rental income, interest and dividend income, and any other income received regularly. Household income also includes net income from owning or operating a farm or business. Income of all persons 18 years of age or older in the household must be included in the computation of household income, regardless of the amount of their financial contribution to the household.

How much cash can I receive under HMIRP? Rebate amounts are equal to a percentage of the actual verified cost of eligible improvements up to a maximum expenditure limit of $20,000 per parcel as follows: 

• Low income 25%
• Moderate income 15%

Verification of income will be required from all applicants. Income documentation may include tax records, pay stubs, benefit award letters, and bank and investment account statements.

In an effort to assist special needs groups in improving living conditions, rebates to owner-occupants may be increased by five percent in either income category if the head of household is elderly, a single parent, or disabled.

How many rebates can I receive? A rebate applicant may receive more than one rebate provided that the required preliminary inspection is carried out for each separate rebate application before any work is commenced and the cumulative total of eligible expenditures does not exceed $20,000 for any one property.

How can I qualify for a cash rebate under HMIRP? There are five steps to qualify for your rebate:

1. Submit an HMIRP application before commencing work. Applications are available at the Department of Community Development, 250 North Ventura Road, Port Hueneme, CA 93041 or by calling (805) 986-6552.
2. Schedule a preliminary exterior inspection of the property with HMIRP staff. At the preliminary inspection, the owner will be advised in writing of the particular conditions under which the City will disburse a rebate on the property. In some cases the City may require correction of other deficiencies if they will not be addressed in the course of the work you have already planned.
3. Spend a minimum of $500 on HMIRP-eligible work.
4. Complete all HMIRP-required work within 120 days of the preliminary inspection.
5. Present written receipts for eligible expenses promptly upon completion of work. Be sure to review the City’s receipt requirements carefully before incurring HMIRP-eligible expenses.

For HMIRP applications and additional information, contact: 

                                        Jennifer Arriola 
                                        Community Development Specialist 
                                        Phone: (805) 986-6552 
                                        Fax: (805) 986-6675 
                                        Email