City of Cumberland Home Rehabilitation Grant Program is a grant opportunity offered by the City of Cumberland's Community Development Department in Maryland. The program aims to support the Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative by providing matching funds for the improvement of uninhabitable properties within the city limits. The grant amount will be determined at the conclusion of the project, with a 50% matching grant up to $25,000. Projects must be completed within 12 months of the notice of award. Applicants are required to submit an application form, portfolio of previous projects (if any), SDAT page showing property value less than $100k, interior and exterior photos documenting property vacancy, list and cost estimate of renovations, and proof of available funds for the project.

About the Program
The City of Cumberland’s Community Development Department is pleased to introduce a new Home Rehabilitation Grant program in support of our Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative to reduce blight.

This grant program will provide 50% matching funds, up to $25,000, for the improvement of a property in the city limits of Cumberland that is uninhabitable in its current condition.

20230419_111216
Application Process
Interested parties must obtain an application packet from the Community Development Department and submit the application, along with the following documentation:

A portfolio of previous projects, if any
A printed page from the MD State Department of Assessment and Taxation website showing the assessed value of the property is under $100,000
Interior photos documenting the property is vacant
A list of all items to be updated/remodeled
An estimated cost of the project
A statement shoring the scope of projected renovations and a timeline to completion.
Proof of available funds for the project

More Information can be obtained by contacting:
Kevin Thacker, Code Compliance Manager :

301-759-6659 (Office)

The City of Cumberland’s Community Development Department is pleased to introduce a new Home Rehabilitation Grant program in support of our Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative to reduce blight. This grant program will provide 50% matching funds, up to $25,000, for the improvement of a property in the city limits of Cumberland that is uninhabitable in its current condition. The program only qualifies for properties which are assessed under $100,000 by the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (https://sdat.dat.maryland.gov/RealProperty/Pages/default.aspx), and must be uninhabitable in their current condition (verified through interior photos and staff inspection). Applications are required to be signed and submitted by the property owner. The applicant must be legal owner of property at time of application with proof of ownership. All applications must also be submitted, selected for funding, and all approvals must be in place before the project can begin. This program is subject to the availability of funds and application acceptance can be discontinued at any time by the City of Cumberland.

Denise Adams, Citizen Service Representative :

301-759-6459 (Office)

Email: denise.adams@cumberlandmd.gov

Community Development Office, Basement Level of City Hall

57 N. Liberty Street

Cumberland, MD 21502

More information can be found in the Grant Application Packet

Disbursement of Grant Funds
All necessary permits must be obtained from the City. The property will be subject to both third-party and City inspections, and may require a Section 106 Review. Grant funds will be released when the renovations are completed as provided for in the application, an occupancy permit is issued, and the property owner submits invoices and before and after photos.

Application packets must be obtained from the City’s Community Development office. Applicant needs to apply for the grant and must include the following in the application packet:  Application Form  Portfolio of previous projects (if any)  SDAT page showing value less than $100k  Interior photos documenting the property is vacant (subject to verification by City staff)  List of all items (room by room) to be updated/remodeled  Estimated cost of the project showing the scope of projected renovations and a timeline to completion  Exterior photos of the property showing the front, both sides and the back  Applicant must show proof of available funds for the project. Application packets are accepted on a rolling basis. The Grant Committee meets on the third Wednesday of every month to review submissions—any applications received after 11:00 a.m. on that Wednesday will be held for review the following month. The City of Cumberland reserves the right to accept or reject any and all applications.

PROGRAM SPECIFICS  This program applies for properties assessed for under $100,000 within the city limits of Cumberland.  No construction may begin before the grant has been awarded and all approvals are in place. If any work has taken place, please contact our office to discuss the specifics, prior to submission of the application.  In most cases, any costs incurred prior to application will be cause for rejection. Under no circumstances will costs incurred prior to application approval be reimbursed.  All required permits must be obtained prior to construction. Projects that are commenced prior to receiving the proper permits will invalidate the funding.  Permits are obtained from the community development office for all work that requires a permit (electrical, plumbing, building and occupancy permits). If the property falls within the historic district, an additional permit, the Certificate of Appropriateness, would be required.  A Section 106 review may be required based on the location of the property.  Projects are required to be completed within 12 months of notice of award.  Third party inspections are required for framing, electrical and plumbing work.  Progress inspections will be conducted quarterly by the City of Cumberland.  Receipts or invoices with proof of payment and progress photos are collected quarterly.  Disclosure of all liens and encumbrances on the property is required.  All state, county, local taxes and water, sewer and trash fees must be current.  Property owner must not have any code violations with the City.  The property owner is required to maintain property and general liability insurance on buildings and other improvements on the property throughout the duration of the project at the Owner’s expense. Additionally, if the property is determined to be in a 100-year flood plain, as designated by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, the owner must maintain a flood plain insurance policy.  Limit one (1) grant per applicant per property  Grant amount will be determined at the conclusion of the project. It will be a 50% matching grant, up to a total of $25,000.  The property owner must submit before and after photos of the project. APPLICATION DEADLINE/WHERE TO APPLY Application packets are accepted on a rolling basis. The Grant committee meets on the third Wednesday of each month to review submissions; any application packets received after 11:00 a.m. on that Wednesday will be held for review the following month. Completed application packets must be delivered to: Home Rehabilitation Grant, The Office of Community Development, City Hall, 57 N. Liberty Street, Cumberland, MD 21502.