Income-eligible households may apply for interest-free heating system replacement loan

Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone and Housing Director Dana LeWinter announced today that the Housing Division of the Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development is currently accepting applications for the Heating System Replacement Program. The program supplies interest-free loans of up to $4,500 to replace a faulty or inefficient heating system for owner-occupant homeowners. Loan eligibility is based on total gross income for the household, as well as number of residents.  The loans are interest-free and may be forgivable after three years provided that the home remains the homeowner’s primary residence.

Applicants must fall into gross income categories based on number of residents within each household, per guidelines set by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), as follows:

Maximum Household Income

1 person – $45,500

2 people – $52,000

3 people – $58,500

4 people – $65,000

5 people – $70,200

6 people – $75,400

“With cold weather approaching this is a great program to help replace an aging gas or oil heating system, while lowering your heating costs in the future thanks to a more efficient heating system,” said LeWinter. Somerville residents who  have questions about eligibility or want additional information about the program should contact Walter Whitney, Housing Rehab Program Manager at 617-625-6600 x2569 or wwhitney@somervillema.gov.   Additional information is also available at www.somervillema.gov by visiting the Housing Programs and Services Page under “Departments.”

Funding is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.