About the Critical Home Repair Program

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Portland’s Critical Home Repair program partners with low-income Maine homeowners whose homes require safety and structural repairs. Due to the age of the housing stock, many Cumberland County owner-occupied homes are in need of significant repairs. In many cases, owners are seniors living on fixed incomes who cannot afford to repair their homes and are in jeopardy of being displaced or living in hazardous conditions.

Our Critical Home Repair (CHR) program provides comprehensive repairs designed to eradicate problems and extend the functional life of a house. In addition, it allows the owners to age in place in the safety and security of their own home.

Qualifying Housing Repairs

Critical Home Repair addresses repairs where the owner’s health and safety may be at risk. This includes, but is not limited to:

  • Structural issues, excluding foundations
  • Accessibility issues
  • Unsafe roofing or flooring
  • Lack of heat
  • Electrical hazards
  • Plumbing hazards

What Critical Home Repair Does Not Address:

  • Painting and aesthetic updates
  • Replacing carpeting or flooring (unless for structural reasons)
  • Window replacement (unless current windows are rotted or have shattered glass)
  • Bathroom or kitchen renovations or remodels (except to make necessary health and safety repairs)

House Qualifications

  • Located in Cumberland County, excluding Brunswick and Harpswell
  • Tax Assessment Value less than $350,000

Homeowner Qualifications

  • Household income at or below 80% of HUD median income adjusted for family size
  • Current on mortgage and property taxes
  • Own (name on title) and occupy the home and have lived there for over three years
  • Willingness for HFHGP to conduct a credit check and background check on all residents over age 18
Household Size 1 2 3 4 5
Income Max. $55,950 $63,950 $71,950 $79,900 $86,300

Homeowner Responsibilities

Homeowners are responsible for paying a portion of the project material cost equal to their family’s income as a percentage of the area median income (AMI). All labor is donated.

Looking for assistance beyond Habitat’s Critical Home Repair Program? 

Weatherization

Download the Application

Print and return to:
Molly Brake
Habitat for Humanity of Greater Portland
659 Warren Avenue
Portland, ME 04103

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