• Qualifying Repairs are those intended to alleviate critical health, life and safety issues, or code violations such as (but not limited to):    

1.  Structural & finishing repairs for walls, stairs, ceiling and/or floor system damage
2. Repairs required to satisfy code enforcement
3. Renovations & upgrades to provide handicap accessibility & ADA requirements 
4. Energy efficiency renovations including doors, windows & insulation(weatherization)
5. Exterior finishes including siding, trim, painting & walkways
6. Climate control, for example: installing larger digital displays and/or remote controls
7. Grab bars & rails in bathrooms and hallways to assist in fall prevention & improving mobility 
8. Smoothing floor surfaces – such as removal of molding, carpeting and anything on the floor which limits the mobility of a wheelchair/walker
9. Installation of traction or non-skid strips most commonly in bathrooms but also where hazardous flooring exists.  
10. Transfer benches which enable individuals to get in and out of showers, tubs and wheelchairs 
11. Wheelchair ramps & stair glides
12. Widening doorways to accommodate for wheelchair and walkers 
13. Landscaping that improves safe access to home entrances 

• GNHFH can not perform hazardous material (mold, asbestos, lead, etc) nor pest infestation remediation.  These issues must be addressed by a licensed third party prior to commencement or resumption of GNHFH activities.
• Non-qualifying repair solutions may be considered based on the applicant’s unique circumstances.
• Remodeling or on-going maintenance services are outside the scope of the CHR program. 

1. Applicants must live in the GNHFH service area which includes: Amherst, Brookline, Greenville, Hollis, Hudson, Lyndeborough, Mason, Merrimack, Milford, Mont Vernon, Nashua, Pelham, Wilton and Windham

2. Applicants must own and reside in the home to be repaired.  

3. The home to be repaired must be covered by property liability insurance. 

4. Homeowner must be current in mortgage payments and property taxes.   

5. The Family must be unable to afford necessary home repairs and unable to complete them otherwise due to age, disability, or circumstance. 

6. Household income qualifications: 

a. Homeowner applicant’s total household income must fall below 60% of the Average Median Income (AMI) for their city or town published annually by HUD. --->click to see income chart

b.  Liquid assets (bank accts, stocks, second property etc) excluding retirement must not exceed  $15,000.

7. In keeping with GNHFH’s ‘hand up, not a hand out” philosophy: 

a. Qualified applicants are asked to contribute material costs of the estimated value of the repair work to be completed.  Material expenses will be presented when the project solution is defined and estimated costs are available.  

b. Other financial arrangements MAY BE available should the applicant not be able to cover the full material costs of the repairs. These arrangements will be considered on a case-by-case basis. 

c. Sweat Equity: Volunteers provide the labor necessary to complete Critical Home Repair projects. Qualifying applicants are asked to arrange family, friends or neighbors who may be available to help with the project.

Complete the Repairs Inquiry Form below with your contact information and a brief description of the requested repairs.  > click here for form

A CHR representative will contact you to discuss the request repairs and possibly schedule an on-site visit to determine if the repairs are those CHR can perform.  If the repairs are conditionally accepted, you will be asked to complete a CHR application.  Applications can be mailed, emailed or downloaded from the GNHFH website.

Complete the CHR Application. Be sure to fill in all the requested information and attach requested documents.  If you have any issues in completing the application call GNHFH at 603-883-0295. 

Based on an on-site visit, a CHR representative will confirm the repairs qualify and discuss solution approaches with you.   In addition, GNHFH will confirm you are qualified financially.   The CHR representative will submit to you a CHR Agreement which will define the solution, funding terms and other project terms.

If the agreement is acceptable, you will be asked to sign it and return to GNHFH.  The project start up schedule will be communicated to you by the CHR Program manager.