Senior and Disabled Home Rehab Loans

Seniors and people with disabilities can apply for interest-free loans to repair or modify their home. You do not have to repay the loan until one of the below events:

• You sell or transfer the property
• You cease to occupy the property
• The loan reaches its maturity date

The waitlist is currently open for applications. The program has funding to serve an estimated six properties per year, with each property eligible for up to $60,000. 

Eligibility

To qualify, an applicant must meet all of the following criteria:

• Primary applicant must be 62 years of age and older, and/or an individual with a permanent disability.
• Must be the owner and resident of property to be rehabilitated/improved.
• Have a gross annual household income that does not exceed 80% Area Median Income. This includes regular income and income earned from assets for all individuals over the age of 18 years old (related or unrelated) living at the property. The Gross Annual Household Income Chart is updated annually in July.  
• The house to be rehabilitated has to be located within the City of Berkeley boundaries.
• The housing unit must be a single-family home or a duplex. Both units must be jointly owned by the same party.
• Only the unit occupied by the senior or homeowner with a permanent disability is eligible to receive assistance.

Repairs covered by the loan

You can use the loan to pay for the following non-emergency rehabilitation repairs only:

• Roof Repair
• Exterior House Painting
• Inadequate or hazardous heating or air condition systems
• Windows
• Inadequate or defective plumbing systems (e.g. non-emergency sewer laterals, etc.)
• Inadequate or hazardous electrical system
• Insulation-attic & crawl space
• ADA access improvements
• Solar Panels

How to apply

The Senior and Disabled Home Rehabilitation Loan Program waitlist is accepting new applicants.

Get in touch with program staff if you are interested in being placed on the waitlist. Please provide your full name and full property address:

• Email: SDRLP@berkeleyca.gov
• Phone: (510) 981-5412

Additionally, several nonprofits offer home rehabilitation programs that provide ADA accessibility improvements and health and safety repairs to eligible homeowners through grants or loans.

Please contact the nonprofits below directly to determine if you are eligible to receive services:

• Center of Independent Living
  3075 Adeline Steet, Suite 100
  Berkeley, CA 94710
  (510) 841-4776
• Rebuilding Together East Bay Network 
  732 Gilman Street
  Berkeley, CA 94703
  (510) 644-8979
• Habitat for Humanity
  East Bay/Silicon Valley
  2919 Broadway
  (866) 450-4432