The North Clackamas Care Program offers financial assistance to eligible homeowners within the North Clackamas Revitalization Area (NCRA) who are customers of Clackamas County Service District No. 1 (CCSD#1). This program is specifically designed to help homeowners fund necessary improvements to their private sanitary sewer systems. It’s important to note that this grant is dedicated to physical upgrades and does not cover expenses like sewer assessments, system development charges, connection fees, or ongoing monthly sewer service charges. For those seeking assistance with these additional costs, homeowners are encouraged to call 503-742-4567 to inquire about other available support programs.
Who Can Apply for the North Clackamas Care Program?
Grant availability is limited, and funds are awarded to qualifying applicants on a first-come, first-served basis. To be eligible for the North Clackamas Care Program, homeowners must meet specific criteria:
- Property Ownership: Applicants must be the legal owner of the property or be in the process of buying it.
- Primary Residence: The owner must reside in the home for which they are seeking assistance.
Understanding Income Limits for Eligibility
The North Clackamas Care Program is designed to support households with moderate incomes. Therefore, there are annual gross income limits in place to determine eligibility. These limits are based on household size and are updated periodically. As of May 1, 2024, the maximum annual gross income limits are as follows (representing 80% of the median income):
| Total Household Size | Maximum Annual Gross Income (80% of Median) effective May 1, 2024 |
|---|---|
| 1 | $66,100 |
| 2 | $75,550 |
| 3 | $85,000 |
| 4 | $94,400 |
| 5 | $102,000 |
| 6 | $109,550 |
| 7 | $117,100 |
| 8 | $124,650 |
What Sewer Improvements Are Covered?
The North Clackamas Care Program grant can provide up to $7,500 to cover the costs associated with essential sewer system improvements. Eligible work includes:
- Re-plumbing and Connection: Hiring licensed contractors to re-plumb the home and connect it to the public sanitary sewer system.
- Decommissioning Onsite Systems: Properly decommissioning the existing onsite wastewater disposal system (like a septic system).
This grant is specifically for these physical improvements to ensure homes are properly connected to the public sewer infrastructure.
Applying for the North Clackamas Care Program: Step-by-Step
To begin the application process for the North Clackamas Care Program, homeowners should contact the Water Environment Services (WES) to confirm initial eligibility. WES staff can be reached to start the process.
- Contact WES: Reach out to WES to discuss your interest in the program and confirm preliminary eligibility.
- Referral to Community Development: Eligible homeowners will be referred to the Clackamas County Community Development division.
- Application Submission: The Community Development division will send you a formal application to complete and submit.
- Property Inspection and Cost Estimate: County staff will conduct an inspection of your property to determine the necessary work, prepare construction specifications, and develop a cost estimate for the project.
- Pre-Qualified Contractor List: You will be provided with a list of pre-qualified, licensed, and bonded contractors.
- Obtain Contractor Bids: Homeowners are required to obtain at least two bids from contractors on the provided list.
- Contractor Selection and Agreements: Using forms supplied by the county, you will:
- Enter into a contract with your chosen contractor.
- Enter into a formal agreement with Clackamas County.
While you are not obligated to choose the lowest bid, the selected bid must be within 10% of the county’s official cost estimate to be approved. County staff will also inspect the completed work to ensure it meets program standards. It is important to remember that grant funds cannot be used to compensate homeowners for their own labor on the project.
Grant Approval Process
The final approval of grant applications for the North Clackamas Care Program rests with the Community Development Director of Clackamas County. Upon successful completion of all application steps and meeting eligibility requirements, homeowners can receive crucial financial assistance to upgrade their sewer systems through this valuable program.
The North Clackamas Care Program represents a significant opportunity for eligible homeowners to improve their properties and contribute to a healthier community by ensuring proper sewer system infrastructure.
