BLOOMFIELD, NJ — Need to make some home repairs, but can't afford the price tag? A new municipal loan program in Bloomfield may be able to help local homeowners bridge the gap.
Applications for Bloomfield's Home Improvement Program (HIP) for low and moderate-income residents will open at 10 a.m. on Oct. 6.
The program is part of the town's effort to comply with the state's latest affordable housing mandate, which was announced two years ago.
Here's how it works, township officials said:
"Through HIP, eligible homeowners can receive a deferred-payment, 0% interest forgivable loan of $10,000 to $25,000 for eligible home improvements. Recipients will sign and record a lien on their property for 10 years. The loan is forgiven at a rate of 10 percent per year, with no repayment required after 10 years if the homeowner does not sell or transfer the property during that time, provided program requirements are met."
Typical eligible repairs include heating and cooling systems, electrical upgrades, plumbing, roofing, leaders and gutters, exterior siding, windows and doors, insulation, load-bearing structural systems, and other health and safety improvements.
The program is funded entirely through the township's Affordable Housing Trust Fund, which receives development fees collected from residential and nonresidential developers. No taxpayer funds support the program.
Eligible homeowners must meet the program's income limits and other requirements. Applications will be processed in the order they are received and accepted on a rolling basis. Applicants who meet the initial income requirements will be asked to provide supporting documentation. Eligible properties will then be inspected, repairs will be identified, cost estimates prepared, and approved projects will be competitively bid among pre-qualified contractors.
The first projects are anticipated to begin in December, although timelines will vary based on the scope of work and required approvals, officials said.
To qualify, a household's income must fall at or below 80 percent of the regional median income. Bloomfield is located within Housing Region 2, which includes Essex, Morris, Union and Warren counties.
The 2026 maximum annual household income limits are:
Residents interested in learning more can attend HIP office hours with Acuity Consulting Services on Wednesday, September 30, and Wednesday, October 7, from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the Mayor's Conference Room located on the second floor of Town Hall at 1 Municipal Plaza in Bloomfield.
Additional information about the program is available at tinyurl.com/HIP26BT. The application link will be added to the page when applications open Tuesday, Oct. 6 at 10 a.m. Paper applications will also be available at Town Hall.
Acuity Consulting Services will oversee the program as the township's affordable housing administrative agent. The township is also seeking qualified local contractors to perform work through the program. Contractors and residents with questions can contact Mbutkocy@Acuitytoday.com.
Bloomfield's Home Improvement Program implements recommendations from the township's Master Plan, adopted in April 2025, and the town's Housing Element and Fair Share Plan. The program also advances Bloomfield's compliance with New Jersey's fourth round of affordable housing obligations, which spans 2025 through 2035.
The Bloomfield Township Council approved the program during their meeting on Sept. 14.
Bloomfield Mayor Jenny Mundell said the program provides no-interest, forgivable assistance for vital home repairs, while also creating opportunities for qualified local contractors – a win-win for the township.
"When a roof needs to be replaced, or a heating system breaks down, those expenses can put a real strain on a family," Mundell said. "No one should have to choose between making an essential repair and keeping up with their household bills."
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