The deadline for Mecklenburg County homeowners to apply for the Helping Out Mecklenburg homeowners with Economic Support (HOMES) program is approaching. Residents have until November 21 to submit their applications for grants of up to $650. Those living in the Town of Davidson may qualify for an additional grant of up to $534.
Since opening on July 1, the HOMES program has received nearly 9,000 applications and awarded over $2.6 million in grants. The average award so far is $525.
“Filling out a simple application could save you hundreds of dollars,” said Community Services Manager Shakirah Francis. “I encourage residents to look at the qualifications to see if they are eligible – you may be surprised you qualify.”
Eligibility requirements include having lived in the home for at least three years, meeting a specific total household income level, and having no more than one delinquent tax bill in the past three years. There are no age restrictions, and applicants do not need to have paid off their home or be on public assistance. Those whose mortgage company pays their taxes through escrow may also be eligible.
Applications are reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis until funding runs out. Both new applicants and previous recipients can apply using a one-page application available online, by email, or by mail at MeckNC.gov/4HOMES.
Completed forms can be emailed to [email protected], dropped off at local resource centers or the county assessor’s office, or mailed to the Department of Community Resources at 3205 Freedom Drive, Suite 1000, Charlotte, NC 28208. All applications must be submitted or postmarked by November 21.
For further information about HOMES, visit MeckNC.gov/4HOMES, email [email protected], or call 980-314-HOME (4663).
In related news about Mecklenburg County schools, enrollment dropped by 0.4% during the 2022-23 school year compared to the previous year according to state data (https://www.dpi.nc.gov/). The total number of students enrolled was reported as 153,537 (https://www.dpi.nc.gov/).
