Weatherization is one of the most important services to consider to help you save money by ensuring that your home is best protected from weather and the elements. The Weatherization Program provides grants to low-income homeowners and renters to reduce energy costs by improving home energy efficiency.

Weatherization improvements may include insulation, weather-stripping, caulking, and some safety-related repairs. Funding Source: Maine State Housing Authority

Serves Oxford & Androscoggin counties

Program Summary:

You may be eligible to receive Weatherization assistance if:

• Your household is eligible for the Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).
• Your home is in good structural condition.

When you apply for LIHEAP, you are automatically considered for Weatherization and other assistance too. Please refer to Fuel Assistance to apply for LIHEAP, Weatherization, and more.

Criteria:

• Clients will automatically be placed on the weatherization waiting list at time of LIHEAP application approval
• Prioritized by: Elderly, Disabled, Hypothermia & High Energy Users

Our audit process checks for proper air exchange and quality, and for proper insulation.  The customer receives energy saving estimates immediately to determine the best options available. With energy savings, customers can recover the cost of the testing and repairs within a short time. Theses services are offered to everyone at an affordable fee!

Basic Energy Evaluation includes complete insulation inspection, projected contractor installation costs, & projected yearly energy savings.

Services provided:

• Energy Evaluation:  Includes blower door testing to determine a home’s air tightness; infrared camera scan to detect thermal defects and heat loss in a home;  heating appliance testing, and a visual inspection from attic to basement.
• Written reports: Includes a prioritized list of energy improvements for your home.
• Financing: We can provide you with a variety of options.
• Project verification:  Supervision and inspection of work performed.

The Central Heating Improvement Program (CHIP) provides grants to clean, repair or replace central heating systems that serve low-income households.

CHIP funds may be used only to repair or replace dangerous, malfunctioning or inoperable heating systems that pose a threat to health and safety.

Limited CHIP benefits of up to $400 may be available for rental properties occupied by LIHEAP-eligible tenants.

Funding Source: Maine State Housing Authority

Serves Oxford & Androscoggin Counties

• Furnace repair or replacement.
• Client must be eligible for LIHEAP- fuel assistance.
• Owners and Renters have different maximum dollar limits for heating repairs.

Community Concepts performs lead clearance testing for many Housing Authorities and individual landlords throughout the state. Radon and asbestos testing are recommended for indoor air quality. Asbestos and lead testing should be performed before remodeling an older structure as particles become airborne during home rehabilitation.

Lead Paint Inspection Services

Funding Source: Maine State Housing Authority through HUD funded grant

Serves Androscoggin, Cumberland, Franklin, Lincoln, Oxford, Sagadahoc & York Counties.

• Community Concepts administers a 0% deferred forgivable loan for the Maine State Housing Authority for the abatement of lead paint hazards.  Deferred Forgivable Loans can be used for both single-family homes and apartment buildings.
• SINGLE FAMILY HOMES AND APARTMENT BUILDINGS MUST HAVE BEEN BUILT PRIOR TO 1978.

The requirements for single-family homes:

• Must have a child under six residing in the home.
• May receive up to $16,000 for lead abatement.

The requirements for apartment buildings:

• Each unit must be at least two bedrooms.
• Eligibility is based on tenant income only.
• Landlords may receive up to $10,000 per unit with a maximum of ten units.

CCI performs clearance testing for many Housing Authority’s and individual landlords throughout the State.

CCI can service anyone interested in lead paint services regardless of income.  If the client is over the income guidelines for deferred forgivable loan program, we will perform services for a fee or refer to appropriate programs.

Home Repair Programs

Serves Cumberland, Oxford & Androscoggin Counties

• Must own property and occupy the residence.
• Must be 80% or less of median income.
• Liquid assets cannot exceed $5,000.  If a household member is 62 or older, liquid assets can’t exceed $50,000.
• If customer had prior MSHA Home Repair loan or grant they do not qualify for this program.
• Must be up to date on mortgage and property taxes, no tax liens.

Understand Your Options.  Don’t wait until it is too late.

We provide FREE confidential counseling services for those facing the possible loss of their home due to late mortgage payments which could result in foreclosure.

Download a brochure on our credit counseling services.

Download a brochure on our foreclosure prevention services.

Through our Neighborworks HomeOwnership Center, our credit counselors  can also help you with Pre-Purchase Counseling and Post-Purchase Counseling.

• Pre-Purchase Counseling offers one-on-one support for individual needs in the areas of budgeting, credit and financing solutions.
• Post-Purchase Counseling provides one-on-one counseling regarding the new responsibilities and opportunities that come with being a homeowner. This counseling covers debt management, budgeting, home repairs, tax benefits and delinquency/foreclosure prevention.We’ll even review and future refinancing transactions to ensure that our clients continue to receive the best possible financing.

Call our office today at (207) 333-6419 to set up your FREE appointment with one of our counselors.

The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) serves Oxford & Androscoggin counties, providing assistance for income eligible households to offset the rising costs of home energy, whether you have wood, electric, gas or oil heat. The benefit is paid directly to client’s fuel vendor of choice.

This Program has income guidelines which change from time to time. It is important to check to see if you qualify.

• You may qualify if you are a: renter, renter with heat included, homeowner, subsidized renter with heat NOT included, employed or unemployed, or have income earned by wages or other sources.
• Download the current guidelines you need to follow.
• After You’ve Applied will direct you to a list of other programs you may qualify for if you qualify for HEAP.
• Need Emergency Fuel? Click Here