Healthy Homes Grant Program

Are you looking to enhance the appearance of your home and contribute to the betterment of your neighborhood? If yes, you’ll be excited to learn that the City of Emmetsburg has introduced a program to assist homeowners with exterior repairs. Participating property owners are eligible for a grant up to $500 on qualifying exterior improvements.

How does the program work?

Participating property owners are eligible for a dollar-for-dollar match up to $500 on exterior improvements. If $500 is spent, for example, a $250 match will be made. If $2,000 is spent, the match is capped at $500. This is a competitive grant program, and funds are limited. Grants will be distributed based on the amount of funding available and the number and quality of applications received. Grants will be disbursed as a reimbursement after project completion.

To receive matching funds, property owners must submit a final report with all receipts, invoices, proof of payment, and photos at the conclusion of their project(s), even when the participant invested more than required by the matching grant. The City of Emmetsburg will review these materials, take photos of the completed work, and mail a reimbursement check to the participant.

Who is eligible for funding?

Homes must be owner-occupied and located within the city limits of Emmetsburg.

What improvements are ELIGIBLE?

• Air sealing and insulation (to meet current energy code requirements)
• ENERGY STAR certified doors and windows
• Exterior paint, trim, and shutters
• Siding (durable cladding with at least R-5 continuous exterior insulation)
• Soffit, fascia, flashing, ventilation, and gutters
• Roofing
• Foundation repair
• Sidewalks
• Mailboxes, house plaques, and signs
• Exterior lighting
• Ash tree removal and replacement

*More improvements may be eligible but all must be approved through development department*

What improvements are INELIGIBLE?

• Interior construction
• Construction of additions or detached structures (i.e. sheds)
• Isolated roof or siding repairs
• Adding additional layers of shingles to roof
• Removal of gutters without replacing with new
• Installation of uninsulated siding

What are the selection criteria?

The number of projects chosen for the Healthy Homes Program will depend on available funding. If the number of applications exceeds committed funding, a competitive selection process will take the following factors into consideration: completeness of application, need/impact of proposed improvements on property and neighborhood, and proximity to other applicant properties. Properties that are physically close together will create a greater neighborhood impact than properties that are separated by great distances, therefore preference will be shown to applications that demonstrate neighbors are working together to boost the entire neighborhood. Communication and coordination is encouraged between neighbors. Additionally, preference will be given to projects with materials purchased locally.

Can property owners apply more than once?

Homes are eligible to receive awards twice in a five-year period. The second award will be limited to half of the eligible expenses of that of the first year. For example:
1^st year project cost: $1,000         Award amount: $500
2nd year project cost: $1,000     Award amount: $250

Timeline & Process

There will be two funding cycles for the Healthy Homes Grant Program:

• Funding Cycle FY24 – projects completed and reimbursed prior to June 30, 2024
• Funding Cycle FY25 – projects completed and reimbursed between July 1, 2024 and December 31, 2024

Funding Cycle FY24

• March 13 – Application opens
• April 15 – Evaluation/scoring of applications begins
  Priority for Funding Cycle FY24 will be given to applications received by April 15. Applications received after April 15 will be considered for remaining FY24 funds or Funding Cycle FY25.
• April 23 – Grant commitments issued for selected projects
• June 10 – Final expense report due for FY24 projects
  Copies of invoices/receipts and proof of payment required
• June 25** – Funding Cycle FY24 grant payments issued for completed projects
  Payments may be issued sooner if the final report is submitted and approval.

Funding Cycle FY25

• March 13 – Application opens
• June 10 – Grant commitments issued for selected projects
  Additional grant commitments may be issued for Funding Cycle FY25 at a later date depending on number and quality of applications initially received.
• November 25 – Final expense report due for FY25 projects
  Copies of invoices/receipts and proof of payment required
• December 10** – Funding Cycle FY25 grant payments issued for completed projects
  Payments may be issued sooner if the final report is submitted and approval.