Zero interest CalHome loans available to Lake County fire survivors for rebuilding

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Katherine Ramos, a Valley fire survivor, pictured on the deck of her new manufactured home in Lake County, Calif. Photo courtesy of Hammers for Hope.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – For Lake County residents who lost their homes in the Valley, Clayton, Sulphur or Mendocino Complex fires and who are wanting to rebuild, funds continue to be available for low-income homeowners or renters through 0 percent interest CalHome loans up to $80,000 with no payment necessary for 30 years.

Funded by the California Department of Housing and Community Development, the program is operated by CalHome which granted the funds to Hammers For Hope and administered by North Coast Opportunities Inc. which has been working with Lake County fire survivors since 2017.

“We are pleased that more homes are being completed every month, after multiple disasters, nothing is better than seeing the faces of community members as they turn the key and enter their new home,” said Hammers For Hope board president Moke Simon.

Basic CalHome loan requirements include: a) the value of the home will not exceed 100 percent of the median sales price in Lake County, b) proof that one owned or rented a home that was destroyed by one of the fires, and now owns property to build a stick home or install a manufactured home and, c) personal income does not exceed 80% of the median income in Lake County.

CalHome Loans can be used to build traditional “stick-framed” homes or manufactured homes, fire survivors can also combine funding from various sources to complete their rebuild with either a licensed contractor or volunteer builders. Individuals are encouraged to contact Hammers For Hope and apply.

Armand “Mickey” Thibodeau, a veteran and Valley fire survivor, pictured with his family and AmeriCorps and Hope City volunteer builders. Thibodeau's new home was the first ADA-compliant home built by Hope City in Lake County, Calif. Photo courtesy of Hammers for Hope.

“Manufactured homes are a good option for those desiring a quicker rebuild completion. I encourage individuals or families to apply today,” said Patty Bruder, North Coast Opportunities’ executive director. “All applications must be submitted by Jan. 1, 2020, to use these funds, the time to qualify for a future rebuild is now.”

To apply for a CalHome Loan or to determine eligibility, please contact Shauna Dyer at 707-234-7020 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Hammers for Hope is a California nonprofit public benefit corporation established to provide charitable assistance to low and moderate-income households in Lake and Sonoma counties through a program of home repairs, home improvements, and weatherization.

For more information, please visit www.hammersforhope.org .

North Coast Opportunities is the Community Action Agency that serves Lake and Mendocino counties, as well as parts of Humboldt, Sonoma, Del Norte, and Solano Counties. The organization reacts and adjusts to community needs, including disaster response and recovery.

For more information visit www.ncoinc.org or call 707-467-3200.

Deanna Jones, Clayton fire survivor and her new home. She’s pictured with her family and AmeriCorps and Hope City volunteer builders. Photo courtesy of Hammers for Hope.