APCHA Essential Repairs Grant Program

The APCHA Essential Repairs Grant Program is designed to support APCHA deed-restricted homeowners in completing critical repairs that ensure the safety, health, and long-term viability of their homes. Administered by the Aspen/Pitkin County Housing Authority (APCHA), the program is open to Category 1 through Category 5 homeowners. These categories are determined by income qualifications, not by the physical categorization of housing units. The program provides financial assistance of up to $10,000 per unit and is available on a rolling basis until the $500,000 in total funds are exhausted. All approvals and eligibility determinations fall under the full discretion of APCHA staff and are contingent on fund availability. To qualify, applicants must be current APCHA homeowners in good standing, with no outstanding violations and up-to-date on HOA dues and taxes. Additionally, they must have completed the required bi-annual affidavit. Homeowners currently in the process of purchasing a unit are only eligible after their purchase is finalized. Permits must be secured by the applicant or their contractor, and APCHA requires proof of permits for work where such documentation is mandated by city or county regulations. Assistance in finding a contractor is available through CORE, which also provides technical guidance and rebates for eligible repairs such as heat pumps, boilers, and insulation. Eligible properties include all APCHA ownership units under current deed restrictions. However, RO units, employer-owned units, and mobile homes are excluded. Grants are provided to cover essential repairs defined as those that improve home safety, code compliance, or asset protection. Examples include furnace and water heater replacement, plumbing repairs, mold remediation, and roof repair. Cosmetic upgrades and common area repairs are not eligible. Repairs completed within four months prior to application are eligible, provided they have not already received APCHA grant funding in previous years. Applicants must complete a partial requalification process within two weeks of submitting their application, and the final application due date for 2026 is December 1st. Required documentation includes 2024 tax returns and either W-2s, 1099s, or profit and loss statements. Starting February 1, 2026, 2025 income documentation will be required; after April 15, 2026, 2025 tax returns will be mandatory. Self-employed applicants must submit both personal and business tax records along with current profit and loss statements. Failure to submit within the required two-week window results in automatic application denial. A cost match is required based on the applicant’s income category, ranging from 10% (Category 1) to 50% (Category 5). For example, a Category 3 applicant with an $8,000 repair must contribute $2,400, with the grant covering the remaining $5,600. All grants are taxable, and recipients must submit a W-9 form. Once a grant is approved, the repair work must begin promptly and be completed by December 1, 2026. Failure to meet the timeline or provide regular project updates can result in forfeiture of the grant. Upon project completion, grantees must submit a post-repair form, which includes invoices, proof of permit, photos, and contractor information. Grant payments are processed within 2–3 weeks of submission. The program is jointly funded by Pitkin County and the City of Aspen, with Emily Maynard, APCHA Housing Policy Analyst, serving as the primary contact. For more details, applicants can visit https://www.apcha.org or contact 970-920-5050. The program's terms are subject to change based on funding availability and administrative discretion.

Ensure required documents are submitted within 2 weeks to avoid denial; match percentage must be met.