Emergency Repair Program

Construction Guidelines

 

 

» What is an emergency?

An emergency is defined as:  a serious, unexpected situation or occurrence that demands immediate attention. (From the American Heritage Dictionary, Third Edition).

» Emergency Repair Program definition of Emergency:

Emergency repairs are those which pose an immediate threat to the health and safety of the owner and the home’s occupants.

» Emergency Repair Program Purpose:

The purpose of the Emergency Repair Program is to assist homeowners with emergency repairs of existing owner-occupied properties when no other source of funding is available in the area and there is an emergency home repair, such as a faulty furnace, leaking roof, unsafe water/sewer and electrical, etc.

 

 What can the Emergency Repair Program do?

 

  1. Furnace

Faulty furnaces qualify under the Emergency Repair Program; however, Service Providers should ascertain if other programs, i.e., the Weatherization Program, could financially assist with the installation of a furnace.  In some instances, the Weatherization Program (if a grantee is available in the area and the applicant qualifies) can pay up to $1,700 for the installation of a furnace unit.  The Emergency Repair Program can then be used to fund the replacement and installation of new ductwork, if necessary.  As a basic rule, the type of furnace installed should be the same as the one removed.  When replacing a floor or wall furnace, we encourage you to also get a bid for a forced air furnace because they are much more efficient.  If the additional cost of the forced air furnace seems reasonable, please request a waiver via email from the program manager.

 

  1. Structural Repairs (interior & exterior walls & foundation work)

If the damage is a health and safety risk to the occupants, structural repairs may qualify.  For example, if a foundation is failing and able to be repaired for the amount of the ERP or a combination of funds, the application would qualify.  In any instance, costs for removal and replacement of existing wall material for unnecessary enhancement and cosmetic purposes will not be allowed.  For example; if only one wall is being damaged, replacement of the remaining walls is disallowed.

 

  1. Roof

A roof must be leaking, have holes in it, or be structurally unsound to be considered an emergency.  Roof repair may include the removal and replacement of joists, sheeting, soffit, fascia, shingles, tarpaper and rain collars and caps for flues to ensure that external moisture does not enter.  Replacement materials should be the same as the materials removed, for example, if a metal roof was removed, a metal roof should be installed.  If flat areas of a roof need to elevated, Heritage Composition shingles should be used.  Guttering will be replaced if it needs to be removed to replace shingles.  Flat roofs should be repaired with rolled roofing.  All shingles shall be such that a maximum 25-year warranty type shingle is installed.  Any deviation for this requirement must be approved in advance by the Kansas Housing Resources Corporation.

 

  1. Floor and ceiling repairs

Floor and ceiling repairs may only be made if they are a threat to health and safety of the occupants.  For example if the ceiling is going to fall in on the occupants due to sever water damage, first the leak should be fixed, then the ceiling may be repaired to a minimum working standard.  In any instance, costs for removal and replacement of existing floor and ceiling material for unnecessary enhancement and cosmetic purposes will not be allowed.

 

  1. Plumbing(sewer repair/replacement, hot water heaters, lagoon, broken water lines)

The plumbing situations listed above may be repaired if they are a threat to the health and safety of the home’s occupants. 

 

  1. Electrical repairs

Electric repairs may be made if there is presently a danger to the home’s occupants due to fire or shock. 

 

What can’t the Emergency Repair Program repair and/or replace?

 

  1. Plumbing

Items that are not covered under this program may include:  bath tubs, marble vanity, sinks, cosmetic items such as unnecessary lighting systems, dishwasher replacement, and clothes washer replacement.  Costs for removal and replacement of existing fixtures for unnecessary enhancement and cosmetic purposes will not be allowed.

 

  1. Roof

Items not covered may include:  refinishing attic into a loft, slate shingles, ceramic shingles, and installation of satellite dish or TV antenna.

 

3.      Furnace

Items not covered may include:  installation of Air Conditioning Unit, installation of a wood stove for aesthetic reasons, or the installation of an unvented furnace.

 

4.      Siding

 

5.      Doors/Windows

Items not covered may include: interior and exterior doors, and windows.

 

6.      Carpet/Tile

Carpet and tile will not be repaired unless demolition of the previous flooring was required to make repairs.

 

7.      Sheetrock/Painting

Sheetrock repair will not be funded unless demolition was required.  Painting will only be funded in the immediate area that was disturbed.

 

 

Each application must have a minimum of two contractor bids.  Costs for labor and material must be separated for each emergency repair to be corrected.  This is to ensure that each contractor is bidding on the same items.