In 2015, MCHFH launched the Critical Home Repair Program. Alongside this program, MCHFH made the commitment to put a special focus on our local Veterans to address their unique housing issues. MCHFH staff pursued Veterans Affairs education and received accreditation as one of the first Veterans Certified affiliates in the country.

As with the Homeownership Program, families commit to sweat equity and the repayment of the project expenses. Families agree to affordable payments, based on a zero percent note held by the affiliate. Some grantors prohibit repayment of grant funds. In those cases, there will be an attempt to leverage other funding sources. Using multiple funding sources in this way, allows continuity in the repayment obligation, and recycles money back to the program to ensure longevity. Veterans always receive a sliding scale repayment with the balance being forgiven after a certain number of payments are made. This scale is based on the income level of the veteran. We also forgive the debt of our families who are in the very low-income category of the Area Median Income. (AMI) This means that those with a household income less than 30% AMI will have their debt forgiven at the completion of their critical home repair.

• You must own your own home in Mecosta County

• The home must be the full-time residence of the homeowner.

• The homeowner must have the ability and commitment to repay the expenses of the project

• The homeowner must participate in the project and must provide a safe, sanitary and accessible environment for our volunteers to work while completing the project

• Applications requesting assistance will be prioritized based upon the most urgent and critical nature