City of New Carrollton’s Home Improvement Assistance Program

The Home Improvement Assistance Program (HIAP) is a local initiative funded by the City of New Carrollton, Maryland. This program utilizes a $900,000 allocation from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to support residential homeowners who experienced financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Many homeowners delayed essential maintenance and repairs during the public health crisis, and HIAP seeks to restore safe and healthy living conditions through targeted property improvements. This grant specifically excludes cosmetic renovations, focusing instead on structural, safety, and essential systems repairs. Eligible households must be located within New Carrollton city limits and either reside in a Qualified Census Tract or meet income thresholds based on household size, as defined for Prince George’s County by the U.S. Treasury. Applicants must demonstrate that their household income or assets were adversely affected by the pandemic, which may include job loss, reduced income, illness-related work interruptions, increased expenses, or similar financial challenges. The grant offers up to $25,000 per eligible household, contingent on available funding. Only one application is allowed per household for the duration of the program. Funds may be used for critical home systems and structures such as roofing, HVAC, water heaters, plumbing, electrical systems, lead remediation, exterior finishes, and foundational elements like sidewalks, stoops, and driveways. Weatherization efforts like insulation upgrades are also eligible. A lien will be placed on the property for the grant amount, which will be reduced over a five-year period. If the home is sold or no longer serves as the primary residence during that time, a prorated repayment is required. The application process is first-come, first-served. Interested residents must complete an application along with a checklist of required documentation. Submissions can be made online, via email, or by mail to the ARPA Grant Program Manager at New Carrollton City Hall. Selected applicants will be issued a pre-approval and must sign a Grant Agreement. Once the agreement is executed, a Notice-to-Proceed will be issued before any work can begin. Contractors must be qualified, and proper building permits must be secured, especially for work requiring approval from Prince George’s County. Payments are disbursed directly to contractors after all final inspections are passed and the terms of the Grant Agreement are met. The City emphasizes that failure to secure proper permits may result in forfeiture of grant funds. For additional resources, applicants are encouraged to consult federal and state websites related to ARPA, as well as local guidelines provided on the City’s official site. The grant program will remain active while funds are available and applications are being accepted.