The Willow Glen Resident

City helps some residents paint the town-one house at a time

Little-known program assists homeowners with paint jobs

By Deborah Taylor-Hollis

Willow Glen may be one of the premiere destinations in San Jose, and its home resale prices may be among the highest in town, but making ends meet is still a major challenge to many homeowners. And the cost of improving the look of one's home with a new paint job can be daunting.

But a small, under-advertised program run by the city of San Jose and available to qualified residents can help pay up to 100 percent of the cost of repainting a home.

Run through the department of housing, the city's Paint Grant Program parcels out funds to help paint owner-occupied homes--provided the homeowner meets the criteria.

According to Alex Sanchex, senior manager for housing, the program has been running for six years and has received tremendous response, especially from senior citizens. The program started small, but over the last three years between 500 and 800 residences have received a new coat of paint, and that number is expected to rise to 1,200 next year.

Funds come from the Redevelopment Agency, Sanchez explains, adding that 25 percent of the program's money is committed citywide and 75 percent goes to grants for specific areas as part of a "neighborhood revitalization strategy" that includes not only painting but other services as well.

The paint program covers mobile homes, single-family homes, duplexes and triplexes, as long as there is a an owner in residence.

To qualify for the paint grant program, members of a household must have a combined income that does not exceed the median income level of Santa Clara County. Homeowners with incomes at that level can receive 80 percent of the cost of painting the exterior of a single-family home up to a maximum of $3,000, or a duplex up to $3,750 if the owner occupies one unit. The owner pays the remaining 20 percent.

Those with income below the county's lower-income level qualify for a grant that covers 100 percent up to the same maximum amounts.

According to the department of housing, median-income levels include $54,050 for one person, $61,750 for two, $69,500 for three and $77,200 for four. Lower-income levels include $32,220 for one person, $36,800 for two, $41,400 for three and $46,000 for four.

Of course, some restrictions apply. The applicant must be the owner of the home and must provide proof of ownership and 1997 tax returns as proof of income. The property must stay in the applicant's possession for at least four years after the paint rebate--which is available only once to that person.

The application is simply worded, printed in large type and easy to complete. The application process takes four to six weeks and is open to anyone who owns a residence in San Jose and no other real estate.

After verification of the applicant's information, housing department staff will inspect the property to verify the need for painting, and applicants will be provided with a list of contractors from which to solicit painting bids.

Bids are submitted directly to the housing department, and the department awards the painting job to a contractor. Qualifying homeowners must deposit their 20 percent contribution with the department before the job begins.

For more information, call 277-8406, send a fax to 277-3197 or write to the Department of Housing at 4 N. Second St., Suite 900, San Jose, 95113.

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