Are There Programs That Help Homeowners Fix Their Homes in the San Gabriel Valley?
Written by Armando Novelo, NMLS 237243, a mortgage loan officer in West Covina with over 20 years of experience helping Southern California buyers.
Yes. Many cities in the San Gabriel Valley offer programs that help homeowners repair or improve their homes through grants or low-interest loans.
Some of these programs help with things like roof repairs, accessibility upgrades, plumbing, electrical work, or other health and safety improvements. The goal is to help homeowners maintain their homes and keep neighborhoods strong.
I always tell my clients this is one of the most overlooked resources available to homeowners.
How These Home Repair Programs Usually Work
Some city programs are grants that do not need to be repaid. Others are deferred loans, which means you do not make monthly payments but the loan is repaid when you sell or refinance the home.
Most of the time the programs focus on repairs that improve safety or livability. Things like roof leaks, electrical issues, accessibility upgrades for seniors, or major system repairs.
What people do not realize until they start applying is that these programs are often income-based. The goal is to help homeowners who may not have the resources to make those repairs on their own.
An anonymous client once came to me thinking they needed to refinance their house just to fix their roof. After reviewing the options, we found a city program that covered the repair without adding a new mortgage payment.
Cities That Offer Homeowner Assistance Programs
Several cities in the San Gabriel Valley offer homeowner assistance programs.
Examples include programs in Alhambra, Azusa, El Monte, La Puente, Pomona, Rosemead, South El Monte, and Pasadena. Some cities offer assistance up to $100,000 depending on the program and funding availability.
County programs also exist through the Los Angeles County Development Authority, which can offer assistance up to $100,000 in certain cities.
One mistake I see homeowners make is assuming these programs are always open. Many of them operate on limited funding and open only once funds become available.
Why do so few people use these programs?
Most homeowners do not use these programs for the same reason many buyers do not use homebuyer programs: they simply do not know they exist.
Cities do not advertise them heavily, and funding cycles change year to year. Many homeowners assume the only way to pay for repairs is through savings, a HELOC, or refinancing.
One Google review from a client says it perfectly: “Armando always seems to know about programs we didn’t even know existed.”
That happens because I spend a lot of time studying the different city and county housing programs across the San Gabriel Valley.
What is the first step if you want to repair your home?
The first step is to review what programs your city offers and see if funding is currently available.
Every city runs its program differently. Some offer grants. Others offer deferred loans. Some programs are income-based while others focus on specific types of repairs.
The key is understanding what options exist before you assume you have to take on more debt.
Armando Novelo is an expert at helping homeowners find these programs. You can download the full list of available home repair and assistance programs here.
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