Veteran’s Home Initiative
Updated: July, 2023
Creative began offering this program in 2020 with our first grant award from The Home Depot Foundation and Housing Assistance Council. Since that time, we helped 11 veteran homeowners across Cumberland & Fentress counties with home repairs like a new roof, replaced siding, entryway wheelchair ramps, gutters repair, and HVAC replacements. These repairs are enabling these service men and women to live in their homes for years to come.
For more information regarding grant amounts, eligibility criteria, and other questions, please see below. To apply online, click here, or read on to have an application delivered to you.
And of course, thank you for serving the United States of America!
Funding
- This is a grant, meaning it is not a loan to be repaid.
- The maximum funding amount is $7,500.00 per household, per project.
- If a project costs more than the maximum, CCI will offer alternative funding to cover the remaining cost or you will need to cover the remaining costs.
- This is not based on credit scores.
Eligibility
- Must be considered low-income according to current income guidelines.
- Applicant must be a veteran of the US military with an honorable discharge.
- Veteran must be listed on Deed as having ownership of property needing repair.
- Veteran must use project property as primary residence (meaning he/she must live at the property address).
- Veteran must live in Cumberland, Fentress, Overton, Putnam, or White County.
- Applicant(s) must be willing to supply documentation proofs such as income statements, bank statements, proof of homeownership, proof of veteran status, etc.
How do I apply?
To receive a paper application via email, please email jschubert@creativecompassioninc.com
To have a paper application mailed to you, please call 931-456-6654 and press 1 to let our Loan Coordinator know you wish to have a Veteran’s Home Repair application mailed to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I am eligible?
You may review the Eligibility criteria column above. If you are still unsure whether you may qualify, it is best to apply. Our staff will review your information and request any additional documentation in order to make our determination. Please do not disqualify yourself if you are unsure.
Do I have to live in the counties listed in the Eligibility criteria?
Yes, we apply for funding to use in specific counties in our service area, so we may only use the funds for veterans living in these specific counties.
What kind of repairs are considered necessary or will be funded by this program?
Repairs considered necessary are items that allow a household to keep living safely in their home. Replacing leaking roofs, damaged siding, entry decks (to a certain size), broken HVAC units or water heaters, water-damaged flooring are all examples of necessary repairs. Also, necessary accessibility upgrades can be covered as well, such as installing a wheelchair ramp. Repairs not typically covered are “beautifying” items or upgrades, such as updating cabinets, painting, light fixtures, landscaping, non-entry decks or large entry decks over 12’x12′, furniture, appliances, etc.
Are spouses of deceased veterans eligible to apply?
Unfortunately, no. We asked this exact question to the funding partners, and currently this is not an allowable use of the funds.
What if I know my repair project is above the funding maximum?
Unfortunately, some repairs can be sizable in time and cost. If a repair estimate comes in that is above the funding maximum under this program, CCI will attempt to get you approved for another repair program to cover the remaining cost. As of right now, we have 2-3 additional funding programs we offer under certain circumstances. This is a not a guarantee you will be approved, and you will have to submit additional documentation. The only other alternative is the homeowner(s) pay for the remaining cost out of pocket.
How do I know if I am low-income?
The only way you will know this is by letting our staff review your completed application and all requested documentation.