Grants & Tax Credits

Vine Ventures Inc – Grants
Vine Ventures Inc. has a matching grant program. These grants are available for exterior work, visible from the front of the house that will have a positive impact on the streetscape. Grants are matching – up to 50/50; owners may apply only once every five years and owner occupied homes are preferred. Projects may include front steps, porch rail, other porch repairs, painting, fences, landscaping and roofs. The maximum grant for a roof is $2000. For other projects the maximum grant is $5000. The applications are available in Spring.

B-HOP – Grant
Bronson Home Ownership Program.  Bronson employee benefit is available to purchase or rehabilitate a home in Vine Neighborhood.  

• Eligible to receive a no-interest, deferred loan of up to $10,000, which will be handled as a mortgage through KNHS.  The amount of the loan will be tied to the amount of investment you are making in the home. 
• Up to $2,500 of the loan can be applied toward closing costs.
• No loan payments are required during the first five years.  The loan is payable over 15 years or when you move or sell or refinance the home, or within five years after separation from employment from Bronson, whichever happens first.
• You will participate in the KNHS homebuyer Education classes.

B-HOP home renovation or upkeep loans are available under the following guidelines:

• You are eligible to receive a no-interest, deferred loan of up to $10,000, which will be handled as a mortgage by KNHS.  The amount of the loan will be tied to the amount of investment you are making in the home.
• The renovation projects you select must be ones that improve the curb appeal of the property and have a positive impact in the neighborhood.  These projects include exterior improvements to the property such as painting the house or installing vinyl siding repairing the porch, repairing the driveway, adding landscaping, installing or fixing a garage, installing storm or replacement windows or doors, and installing security lighting.
• Information from www.knhs.org

H.O.P.E.
Home Ownership for Public Employees (HOPE) provides deferred loans to eligible full-time employees of the City of Kalamazoo who wish to purchase a primary residence on an owner-occupied basis within the geographic boundaries of the City.  Loan ceilings are scaled from $3,000 to $10,000, depending on location.   (VINE – $7,000)

• You may receive a loan of up to $10,000 to be used for down payment and closing costs.
• In addition to a deferred loan, homebuyers in the primary and secondary target areas are eligible to finance rehabilitation work through a second mortgage.
• You attend the KNHS Homebuyer Education Classes.
• Information from www.knhs.org

PBC – Grants
Partners Building Community Crosstown Project
A portion of Vine Neighborhood is included in the Partners Building Community (PBC) Crosstown Project area.  Residents who in the area of S. Park street from Cedar to Crosstown Parkway and east of S. Park Street to S. Burdick are included in the target area.  Great things are happening in the target area including, mini-grants to support streetscape housing improvements, youth programming and art.  VINE maintains an active role in the initiatives and looks forward to many more successful PBC projects.

Kalamazoo Promise – FREE EDUCATION
All Vine residents who have children attending Kalamazoo Public Schools qualify for a college scholarship.   The intent is to provide each Kalamazoo Public School graduate with
the opportunity to attend post –secondary education with up to a 100% tuition scholarship.   All public universities in the State of Michigan and community colleges are eligible schools to attend. More information is available here.