Lawrence Twp. to Begin Home Improvement Program

Editor's Note: The following is a news release issued by Lawrence Township.

Mayor Jim Kownacki and the Lawrence Township Council are pleased to announce the township is now accepting names for participation in its municipally-sponsored home improvement program for low and moderate income residents.

According to the mayor, eligible home improvements include roofing, windows, vinyl siding, heating systems, insulation, plumbing and any other code violations.

Your name can be added to the waiting list by calling Maureen Fullaway, our program consultant, at Affordable Housing Administrators (732-892-4292) beginning now through Aug. 31, 2012.

At a future date the township will hold a lottery to determine the order in which applicants are served, said the mayor.

"The program is structured as a forgivable loan. There are no monthly payments and there is no interest. For single-family homes, if the owner remains in the home for ten years, the loan will be forgiven," said the mayor.

According to Maureen Fullaway, eligibility is based on household size and annual income. A household's gross annual income (meaning pre-tax income) cannot exceed income limits set by the State. For example, a four-person household can earn up to $73,113 and still be eligible for the program, said Fullaway.

"The great thing about this program is that it is funded through Affordable Housing Development Fees the township already has collected," said Mayor Kownacki.

"The funding is not coming from the township's municipal budget. Not only does the program help households make necessary repairs they may not be able to otherwise afford, it also helps the Township satisfy its State mandated affordable housing obligation. So by starting this home improvement program, everybody wins," said Mayor Kownacki.