Mission

Our mission at Manchester Housing Initiatives (MHI) is to assist property owners and low-income families in need of home renovations to meet Manchester housing code requirements, the removal of unsafe living conditions and health hazards such as lead-based paint hazards that pose a looming health threat in homes or apartments and to protect young children from lead poisoning. Along the way, we look to increase education and create community-wide awareness regarding lead safety, accomplished through collaborative efforts within the community.

Who is Eligible

Take our quick survey and find out if you are eligible for the MHI program.

Housing Initiatives Lead Hazard Control Program. To be consistent with other programs in the region and the United States, if program requirements are met, the City of Manchester will no longer require the repayment of City funding utilized for the elimination of lead hazards in residential properties. The revised program will provide assistance up to $15,000/unit to property owners in the form of a 0% interest loan that will be forgiven after a period of five years if the owner has demonstrated that they have complied with the program requirements.

The program requires that the lead hazard controls be maintained and that the units be rented to income eligible tenants at Fair Market Rents for a five year period. Income limits and rent levels are determined by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development. This change was approved by the Mayor and Board of Aldermen and resulted from Manchester property owners reluctance to participate in the program and the City’s requirement to complete it’s 2010 Lead Hazard Reduction Demonstration Grant on schedule.

For owners that are interested in eliminating lead hazards in Manchester properties, forgivable 0%-interest loans are available up to $15,000 per housing unit, in an amount not to exceed $80,000.00 per property. Program participants are required to pay a 10% cash match based on the total cost of the project. For more information on the Program, please contact Mary Jo Christian at 603-623-9060 or at mchristian@manchesternh.gov. Program Guidelines, Property Owner Eligibility and Loan Terms

Program Priority System

After meeting general Program eligibility criteria, applicants will be prioritized at the discretion of the Manchester Housing Initiatives Program manager. Priority Ranking System and Tenant Income Guidelines