Independent Living Program

Information Statement

The purpose of this program is to provide incentives to encourage barrier free, accessible housing for lower income individuals with disabilities. The INDEPENDENT LIVING PROGRAM provides grants to fund home improvements such as ramps, railings, and special equipment to enhance the lives of residents who are physically disabled. For purposes of this program, "Physically Disabled," means having a permanent physical impairment or and/or the loss of one or more life functions resulting in mobility impairment or requiring the use of prosthetic equipment, walkers or wheelchairs.

ELIGIBLE PROPERTIES
Properties may be located either within the unincorporated area of Pinellas County or within the municipal boundaries of one of the cooperating cities listed below. NOTE: The just value of the property cannot exceed $151,000 as listed by the Property Appraiser's office.

ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS
Applicants must be low income or moderate-income homeowners or renters who currently occupy the home being addressed or plan to occupy the home immediately after repairs are completed. The chart lists the maximum gross household income for program eligibility. This program is designed to work with homeowners, homebuyers, and renters. However, renters must have the landlord's written permission to make application.

The property must be structurally sound and meet local housing codes. Mobile homes built prior to 1976 are not eligible.

INCOME LIMITS
The chart gives the maximum annual household income for persons eligible to participate in this program. Household income includes income from all persons residing in the home whether they contribute to the household expenses or not. All residents of the house must agree to have their income verified using methods acceptable to the County.

ELIGIBLE REPAIRS
Repairs whose sole purpose is to remove barriers and enhance independent living are eligible. These include, but not limited to, ramps, rails, doors and doorways, stairs, floors, shower stalls, audible and visual warning signals, thresholds, etc. Personal property such as furnishings, appliances, personal electronics and consumable supplies are not eligible. Although they may enhance independent living, general repairs and items considered normal replacement are not eligible under this program. However, those items may be eligible under the County's Home Repair Program.

AMOUNTS AND TERMS
The ILP program limits are $2,500 for renters and $3,500 for homeowners. The grant is available to any eligible applicant for the sole purposes of removing barriers and making improvements to enhance accessibility for disabled persons.

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
If an applicant requires accessibility improvements only, the terms and conditions listed in this program description will apply. If accessibility improvements are to be financed along with other repair work, the policies of the particular program funding the other repairs will apply. In cases where two or more programs fund repairs, the most stringent of the various program requirements apply. Applicants cannot receive a benefit through this program more than once.

LOAN COSTS
There are no application fees charged. Since this is a grant program, no repayment is required.

HOW TO APPLY
This program is administered through the Caring and Sharing Center for Independent Living, Inc. To apply, call Caring and Sharing Center for Independent Living, Inc. (727) 577-0065.

Any applicant who has a complaint or inquiry regarding eligibility or any other determination made by Community Development personnel are entitled to have their complaint or inquiry reviewed. If any applicant has questions or needs more information about program requirements or processing, or has not received an adequate response to their complaint or inquiry, please contact Single-Family Programs Administrator, at the address and phone number listed below.

Pinellas County Community Development
600 Cleveland Street, Suite 800
Clearwater, Florida 33755
Phone (727) 464-8210   Fax (727) 464-8254

Our goal is to offer the residents of Pinellas County the highest quality service possible. We are always interested in any comments about the quality of our services or suggestions for ways to improve them.