Housing Rehabilitation and Repair Programs

City of Rochester Housing Rehabilitation Programs

The City of Rochester offers a range housing rehabilitation programs designed to support homeowners who own residential property in the city of Rochester.  The City of Rochester, Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Community Development Block Grant program, HUD’s Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes, and U.S. Department of the Treasury Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery funds fund the programs offered.

If you have any questions regarding what programs are available, please contact your local Neighborhood Service Center (NSC). Click here to locate your NSC office

Approved Contractor List

If you are a contractor interested in being placed on the City's approved contractor list for our repair programs, you are encouraged to complete a contractor application.  It is important that the application be completed in its entirety and that all requested documents are included. You may submit the application to our office located at City Hall, 30 Church St - Room 028-B. Minority and Woman-owned Business Enterprise are encouraged to apply. If there are funds available, the City may offer free lead training for contractors. If you have any questions, please contact our office at (585) 428-6963. 

  • Click here for a copy of the contractor application.
  • Click here for a list of the City's approved contractor list

Emergency Assistance Program (EAP)

The City’s EAP program provides financial assistance to eligible owner-occupants who own a one to four family, residential property to help with emergencies with furnace/boiler, hot water tanks and/or water service.  We may authorize additional work for the installation of these items; however, the City reserves the right to cancel projects that have excessive costs that goes beyond the purpose of the program.

Emergency Assistance Program Eligibility

  • Property must be a residential unit located in the city of Rochester
  • The assistance is only for the owner-occupied unit; 
  • Only owner-occupants can apply; 
  • Applicants must be the owner of the property (You may be ineligible for the program(s) if the deed to the property lists multiple owners who do not reside in the property); 
  • Total household income cannot exceed 80% of HUD’s area median income (guidelines change annually); 
  • City of Rochester and Monroe County taxes must be current and not subject to foreclosure.  If owner is on a tax agreement, payments must be current throughout the entire application process; 
  • Property owner must be current on mortgage payments and not subject to foreclosure; 

Housing Rehabilitation Program 

**PROGRAM CURRENTLY NOT AVAILABLE, PLEASE CHECK BACK FOR FURTHER UPDATES**

The City’s Housing Rehabilitation Program provides financial assistance to eligible owner-occupants who own a one to four family, residential property to help with home repairs.  Assistance is offered in neighborhoods where housing development projects are located to eliminate blight and hazards.  Eligible repairs include those to address lead-based paint hazards, health and safety hazards, code violations and other environmental issues. 

Housing Rehabilitation Program Eligibility

  • Property must be a residential unit located in the city of Rochester.
  • Only owner-occupants can apply;
  • Applicants must be the owner of the property (You may be ineligible for the program(s) if the deed to the property lists multiple owners who do not reside in the property);
  • Total household income cannot exceed 80% of HUD’s area median income (guidelines change annually);
  • City of Rochester and Monroe County taxes must be current and not subject to foreclosure or if owner is on a tax agreement, owner must be current with payments throughout the entire application process;
  • Property owner must be current on mortgage payments and not subject to foreclosure;
  • Owner-occupants must sign a Program Agreement and Note, and maintain the property as their primary residence for five (5) years.
  • Owner Occupant Roof Program

Owner Occupant Roof Program 

The City of Rochester is offering financial assistance for roof replacement to eligible owner-occupants of a one- or two-family residential property through a lottery. 

Owner Occupant Roof Program Eligibility  

  • Property must be a one to two family residential unit located in the city of Rochester.
  • Only owner-occupants can apply (You may be ineligible for the program if the deed to the property lists multiple owners who do not reside in the property);
  • Total household income cannot exceed 80% of HUD’s area median income (guidelines change annually);
  • City of Rochester and Monroe County taxes must be current and not subject to foreclosure or if owner is on a tax agreement, owner must be current with payments throughout the entire application process;
  • Property owner must be current on mortgage payments and not subject to foreclosure;
  • Owner-occupants must sign a Program Agreement and Note, and maintain the property as their primary residence for five (5) years. 

Lead Hazard Control Program (LHCP) 

**PROGRAM CURRENTLY NOT AVAILABLE, PLEASE CHECK BACK FOR FURTHER UPDATES**

The City’s LHCP program offers financial assistance to eligible homeowners who own a one to four family residential property, built before 1978, located in the city of Rochester to remediate lead hazards. The purpose of the program is to remediate lead-based paint hazards in properties that have children under the age of six (6) residing in the home in an effort to reduce the incidence of child lead poisoning. An Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) certified lead testing firm will provide a lead-based paint inspection and risk assessment report that will identify areas in your home where lead-based paint hazards may exist. Example of eligible repairs may include window and/or door replacement, siding, porch repair or replacement, painting, and soil remediation.

  • Click here for the HUD 50% AMI Income Limits

Lead Hazard Control Program Eligibility

  •  Property must be a one to four family residential unit located in the city of Rochester and in good conditions. Properties that are fire-damaged, structurally unsound or severely neglected are not eligible for the program;
  • Applicants must be the owner of the property (You may be ineligible for the program(s) if the deed to the property lists multiple owners who do not reside in the property);
  • Total household income for owner-occupants cannot exceed 80% of HUD’s MFI (guidelines change annually);
  • The total household income for tenants cannot exceed 50% of HUD’s MFI (guidelines change annually, see above link for income limits);
  • Owner-occupants must have a child or a visiting child under the age of 6. The owner must provide proof of child’s relationship by providing a copy of the parent and child’s birth certificate;
  • City of Rochester and Monroe County taxes must be current and not subject to foreclosure or if owner is on a tax agreement, owner must be current with payments throughout the entire application process;
  • Property owner must be current on mortgage payments and not subject to foreclosure;
  • Landlords are required to pay 10% of the total project cost;
  • Property owners must sign a Program Agreement, Note and Mortgage and maintain the property as their primary residence for five (5) years.
  • Property owner may not have received assistance for the lead program in the last 7 years.