HMIRP

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, principally 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 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 (Click on "Target Area Map") for eligible neighborhoods.

The Home Maintenance Incentive Rebate Program is a system of cash grants paid to eligible residential property owners who undertake certain 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 property improvements. HMIRP is specifically intended to dovetail with the City’s code enforcement program. As such, it is more limited in scope than the Residential Rehabilitation Loan Program (Click on "Residential Rehabilitation Loan Program") and appeals primarily to the do-it-yourselfers.

What is an eligible property improvement? Eligible work under HMIRP is limited to improvements which are visible from the public right-of-way and which will enhance the exterior appearance of the property. Therefore, stucco, roofing, exterior painting, windows, doors, garage doors, driveways, landscaping, and fences are all eligible but floor covering and new cabinets are not. All HMIRP projects are managed by the owners and the City is not involved in approving contractors, monitoring the quality of workmanship or the payment of 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 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:

OWNER-OCCUPANTS

§ Low income 30%

§ Moderate income 20%

§ Middle/high income 10%

INVESTOR OWNERS 20%

Verification of income will be required from low and moderate income owner-occupants who wish to qualify for the higher rebate percentages.

In an effort to address special needs groups in improving living conditions, rebates to owner-occupants may be increased by five percent in any 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. For example, if the owner has applied for a rebate in conjunction with a reroofing project, but the City's inspection reveals a broken window pane and peeling paint on the garage door, the broken window would have to be replaced and the garage door repainted, in order for the owner to receive a rebate on the roofing project, the window replacement, and the painting of the garage door.

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.

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