Residential Programs

Home Improvement Loans

Special Programs for Senior Citizens

Foreclosure Prevention

Cold Weather Programs and Services

Code Enforcement

Crime Watch

Useful Information

Paint Refund Program

Home Improvement Loans

Please download this printable Home Rehabilitation Loan Programs Chart (courtesy of the Living in Cleveland Center). For more information on any of these programs, contact Chris Frohring at (216) 252-6559 ext. 1300 or chris.frohring at kammscorners.com.

It's never too late to weatherize your home. If done correctly, weatherization will result in a dramatic decrease in your heating bills. Why not use a loan program to finance your weatherization? Or, see our Cold Weather Programs & Services page for information on income-restricted weatherization programs.

Special Programs for Senior Citizens

KCDC refers senior citizens to the City of Cleveland's Chore: Home Maintenance Help for Seniors program. Here is some useful information about Chore from the City of Cleveland Department of Aging:

Chore is a program for Cleveland residents who are age 60 or older and who need help with maintaining their homes or apartments. Chore workers are employees of the City of Cleveland who will come to a senior's home and perform chores such as:

• General and heavy house cleaning
• Lawn mowing
• Removing or installing storm windows
• Limited painting
• Simple home repairs
• Carpet cleaning
• Installing smoke detectors

Supervised Court Community Service (CCS) teams assist the Department of Aging with lawn mowing. CCS also shovels snow from walks and steps for Chore clients who need to leave the home for medical care or who need to have a care provider enter the home.

Priority is given to frail, isolated, disabled and low-income persons (using HUD guidelines). There is no charge for this service, however, donations are accepted. The workers do not accept tips. Donations are turned into the office and are used towards providing future services for seniors. The Cleveland Department of Aging provides this service to help our elderly neighbors maintain their independent living styles and to improve and maintain the appearance of our City and its neighborhoods.

If you or someone you know needs assistance with home maintenance, call 664-2833 to see if you are eligible for Chore services. Your request will be scheduled for the first available opening. Some requests may require an on-site assessment before work is scheduled.

To learn more about Chore and other services provided by the City of Cleveland Department of Aging, call 664-2833.

Benefits CheckUp—Cuyahoga County Department of Senior and Adult Services

Code Enforcement

The City of Cleveland has the authority and does take legal action against building and zoning code violators.

Code Standards Diagrams—Ensure that your house would pass an inspection by addressing these important issues.

City of Cleveland Department of Building & Housing

Kamm's Corners Development Corporation coordinates with the City of Cleveland to address code concerns. It is each property owner’s obligation and responsibility to maintain their property to building and zoning code compliance. Not only does compliance keep property safe and functioning efficiently, but also it greatly enhances neighborhood value and beauty. Well-maintained neighborhoods are the hallmark of Kamm’s Corners – please keep your property maintained!

If you have a code complaint:

You may report code violations directly to the City of Cleveland by calling 216-664-2007.

Cuyahoga County Foreclosure Prevention Program

Many good people who never missed a payment before find themselves in the unenviable position of being in foreclosure for many different reasons outside of their control.

Some of the reasons may be:

• Loss or decrease of you or your spouse's income
• Increase in monthly utility and gas bills for people on fixed incomes
• Unforeseen debt due to an accident or costly emergency house repairs
• Medical emergencies or prolonged illnesses that create huge medical bills
• Loss of spouse
• Predatory lending

The Cuyahoga County Foreclosure Prevention Program has contracted with nine local consumer counseling agencies to provide assistance at no cost to homeowners throughout Cuyahoga County.

The following services are available:

• Pre-borrowing counseling
• Assistance in making a workable budget
• Refinance counseling
• Assistance for people in default on their mortgage
• Help in working out a repayment plan with your lender
• Predatory lending terms and tricks to watch out for

If you are having financial difficulties and may be, or are, facing foreclosure, please call 2-1-1 or (216) 436-2000 for help.

The Foreclosure Prevention Program was established in November 2005 to provide assistance to homeowners who may be in danger of going into foreclosure or who are already in the foreclosure process.

The property must be owner-occupied and the primary residence of the borrower.

To see if you qualify for the free assistance available to homeowners, you must call United Way's First Call for Help hotline. Just dial 2-1-1 or (216) 436-2000.

Crime Watch

If you see a crime taking place, or if you are the victim of a crime, report it to the police. It doesn't matter how trivial you think it might be—your report might help the police discover a pattern of crime and predict where and when the perpetrator will strike next. Although response times may vary, the police act on every call for service.

To report suspicious activity, download and print the City of Cleveland's Illegal Activity/Problem Report. Don't forget to return it as indicated on the report form.

Police Contact Numbers

Neighborhood Safety Practices from Cleveland Neighborhood Development Coalition

Useful Information

Please call us first regarding the LEAD-SAFE Paint Program and with any questions related to home repair loans. For other matters, you will receive faster service by calling the appropriate office at the City of Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, or other agency. Please see this list of frequently called numbers provided by the City of Cleveland. Below are some additional numbers not appearing on the city's list.

Don't Be a Victim of Predatory Lending

Sure Signs of Trouble...

Bait & Switch
A low interest rate is offered, but a much higher rate appears on the final agreement.

Refinancing Traps
The new lender may tell you to stop paying your current mortgage. DO NOT STOP PAYING! If you fall behind, you will damage your credit, and lose the ability to walk away from a bad loan.

Always say NO to:

Yield Spread Premiums
This is a kickback from the lender to the loan officer for giving you a higher interest rate.

Variable Rate/Adjustable Rate Mortgage
Increasing interest rates on these loans make it difficult to make future payments.

...and NEVER sign blank documents or lie about your income.

For more information call...

2-1-1 or (216) 436-2000

One free call can save you from a lifetime of debt.

—Information provided by the Cuyahoga County Foreclosure Prevention Program

Mortgage Information in One Handy Guide

Click here to download a list of mortgage programs available to Cleveland residents.

Neighbor Disputes

Kamm's Corners Development Corporation cannot get involved in neighbor disputes. However, the absolute best thing you can do in a neighbor dispute, before taking any further action, is to talk about the issue with your neighbor. There are a number of good resources at the library or online regarding how to solve neighbor disputes; one is Neighbor Law: Fences, Trees, Boundaries & Noise, by Cora Jordan (5th ed., Nolo, 2006). This information is provided for information only and should not be construed as legal advice.

The City of Cleveland's Community Relations Board is a resource you can use if you've already tried talking it out. Call Tammy Hanna, First District Coordinator, at 664-6634 or email her at thanna at city.cleveland.oh.us.

Homestead Exemption

You may qualify for the Homestead Exemption property tax reduction if you meet all three of the following criteria:

1. Are age 65 anytime during the calendar year or 100% totally and permanently disabled, or are a surviving spouse aged 59-64 of a Homestead recipient;
2. Own your home and live in it as of January 1, 2007;
3. Your total income (applicant and spouse) is no more than $27,000 per year.

To receive a Homestead Exemption application by mail, please call us at (216) 252-6559 ext. 1300 or email chris.frohring at kammscorners.com. You may also stop by our office to pick one up, but please call first.

Energy Assistance Programs

Quality-of-Life Ordinances

Summary of the City's ordinances concerning property nuisance and ethnic intimidation and whom to call. Information on the Cleveland Police Review Board.

City of Cleveland Recycling Program

Free Mulch

City of Cleveland residents can get free mulch from Rosby Resource Recycling, 54 East Schaaf Road in Brooklyn Heights. Supplies may be limited. Call (216) 661-6102 to ensure availability.

City of Cleveland Permits

It is extremely important to follow the proper permit procedures when making repairs or improvements to your home.  Failure to do so has resulted in improvements being dismantled at the property owners expense because permits were not obtained.  Click here for permit information.

If You're Selling Your Home

The City of Cleveland has a mandatory process involving a certificate of disclosure for single family homes or multi-unit (up to 4 units) dwellings. Click here for more details.