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Home Improvement Loan Program - Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to frequently asked questions about the Oakland County Owner Occupied Home Improvement Program (OCCHI). For additional questions or information, please contact our Home Improvement Administrative staff.
About the Oakland County Owner Occupied Home Improvement Program
Do I qualify for an Owner Occupied Home Improvement Loan?
How do I repay this loan?
Must this loan be repaid when I pass away?
Can I pay back taxes or special assessments with this loan?
WIll the technicians check for lead hazards in my house?
Who pays the contractor for the work being done on my home?
Can I have more than one Oakland County Home Improvement loan?
What types of home improvements/repairs are allowed?
What types of home improvements/repairs are NOT allowed?
How do I apply for an Oakland County home improvement loan?
About the Oakland County Owner Occupied Home Improvement Program
Home improvements can seem out of reach due to inflation, high interest rates and the rising costs of construction. To help qualified families with necessary home improvements and repairs, Oakland County Community & Home Improvement (OCCHI)provides low interest home improvement loans.
Who we are: The OCCHI division is funded through the U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Block Grant program, the HOME Program, and a portion of our funds come from Oakland County. We have been doing home improvement loans in Oakland County since 1976.
What we do: Assist you in the loan application process; Oakland County certified technicians inspect your home for needed repairs, state licensed and insured contractors bid on the repairs, loan documents are prepared by our staff, the repairs are monitored by county technicians and payments are made to the contractor by our division staff.
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Do I qualify for an Owner Occupied Home Improvement Loan?
You must live in a participating community, own or be buying your home, it must be your primary residence, your property taxes must be current, and your household income cannot exceed the maximum income guidelines for Oakland County.
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How do I repay this loan?
There are three (3) types of loans, an installment loan, deferred loan, and a combination installment and deferred loan. All loans become due and payable when you no longer reside in the home (e.g. sell, rent, lease the home or following your death).
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Must this loan be repaid when I pass away?
Yes, this loan is a mortgage on your property. Your heirs must repay the mortgage, just as they must repay all your debts.
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Can I pay back taxes or special assessments with this loan?
No, these loans can only be used for repairs to your home.
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WIll the technicians check for lead hazards in my house?
Yes, our technicians are state certified lead risk assessors and state certified lead abatement contractors will be doing the work on your home.
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Who pays the contractor for the work being done on my home?
There will be no exchange of cash between Oakland County and the homeowner. Oakland County will make payments directly to the contractor.
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Can I have more than one Oakland County Home Improvement loan?
You can secure only one loan through this program in any five (5) year period.
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What types of home improvements/repairs are allowed?
Priority is given to health and safety items, energy conservation, and structural preservation. However, the following is a list of eligible home improvements your home might need:
| Barrier Free Access |
Bathrooms |
Doors |
Electrical Systems |
| Porches |
Kitchens |
Windows |
Heating |
| Masonry |
Roofs |
Siding |
Plumbing |
| Septic systems |
Wells |
Insulation |
Water and Sewer Lines |
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What types of home improvements/repairs are NOT allowed?
Additions, out buildings, landscaping, special assessments, patios, fencing, rental units, condominiums and mobile home improvements are not allowed.
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How do I apply for an Oakland County home improvement loan?
- Complete a
 loan application (file size 50k).
- Submit the application, along with proof of property ownership and income documentation to our offices.
- Loan processing personnel will contact you regarding your eligibility.
You will need to download and install Adobe Acrobat Reader if it is not already installed on your system.
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