Home Repair Program Expands to Aid Wildfire Impacted Homeowners

The Tennessee Housing Development Agency is expanding the Appalachian Renovation Loan Program to Sevier County to help homeowners affected by deadly wildfires with home repairs.

Eligible homeowners will be able to apply for a grant or loan up to $25,000 to help cover the cost of home repairs.

“After seeing the devastation caused by the fires in Sevier County, THDA looked for ways we could assist homeowners of modest means who might not have adequate insurance or the financial capacity to cover costly home repairs,” said Ralph M. Perrey, executive director of THDA. “This program expansion allows us to do that.”

The Appalachian Renovation Loan Program launched in 2016 with $500,000 from the State of Tennessee’s Appalachian Regional Commission funding, which the housing agency matched with $1 million of its own funds. Through the loan program, homeowners can borrow the money they need to hire qualified contractors to repair damage, patch roofs, fix wiring, and make other necessary home repairs.

Homeowners apply for financial assistance through a network of THDA-approved nonprofit partners. These partners are responsible for approving, managing, and verifying all repair work. Funds are available on a first come first serve basis to homeowners who meet eligibility requirements.

In addition to Sevier County, program funds are available to low-income families in Bledsoe, Campbell, Carter, Claiborne, Clay, Cocke, Fentress, Grainger, Greene, Grundy, Hancock, Jackson, Jefferson, Johnson, Lawrence, Lewis, Macon, McMinn, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, Overton, Pickett, Polk, Rhea, Scott, Unicoi, Union, Van Buren, Warren, and White counties.

To be connected with a THDA-approved nonprofit, Sevier County homeowners can email sfspask@thda.org.