Accessible Housing Program (JCAHP)

Jefferson County's Home Access Improvement Project has been established to assist low and moderate income households who include individuals with a permanent physical disability that limits access to and limits use of the dwelling unit, with making physical modifications to their home or apartment. The Jefferson County Department of Development has been designated as the administrative agent for this Project.

The objective of the JCAHP is to address accessibility modifications to the homes of permanently disabled people. The most common types of modifications include ramps, lifts, door widening, visual door bells, audio phones, visual phone signalers, etc. that will improve the ability of a person with disabilities to enter and exit the home. Also widening hallways, lowering kitchen counters, enlarging bathrooms and adding grab bars to increase the ability of a person with disabilities to perform activities of daily living.

Who is eligible?

Homeowners and renters with permanent physical disabilities or the caretaker of a person with a permanent physical disability that reside within Jefferson County and meet income requirements.

This Program is limited to those people with permanent physical disabilities that meet Section 8 or Federal Poverty Level Income Guidelines.

The MAXIMUM income limit permitted for participation in the access program is 80% of the median income for Jefferson County or 235% of the Federal Poverty Level, which ever is higher, according to household. People whose household income is at or below 50% of the median income, identified in the income table as Very Low Income, will be given preference over those that are above 50% of median income.

How do I apply for the Program?

Homeowners and renters apply by contacting the Jefferson County Department of Development, Jefferson Place, 155 Main Street, 2nd Floor, Brookville, PA 15825 or by calling (814) 849-3047.  The department will discuss the program in detail to determine eligibility. Once the applicant is determined eligible, the applicant will be placed on the Department’s “Waiting List”, whereby each applicant is served on a first-come, first-served basis.

What is the amount of the grant?

This amount will very with each individual project and depend on the modifications required to make the home reasonably accessible to the disabled person.

General conditions:

The home to be modified must be habitable, in structurally sound condition, and compliant with local code or any applicable Statewide Building Code.

If the property is not code compliant:

• For homeowners: at a minimum the homeowner must agree to participate in Jefferson County’s Housing Rehabilitation program by signing up on the waiting list.
• For renters: the property owner must bring the unit to be modified into code compliance prior to any modifications or provide funds to have the code compliance work included with the modifications.