The Village of Park Forest is opening the wait list for the second round of its Home Repair and Accessibility Program (HRAP), funded by the Illinois Housing Development Authority, to help eligible homeowners with critical repairs, accessibility upgrades and roof replacements.

Applications will be accepted in person Oct. 7 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Village Hall on a first-come, first-served basis. Pre-applications submitted by mail, email or drop-off will not be accepted, officials said.

The program, administered in partnership with Rebuilding Together Metro Chicago, provides forgivable loans. Homeowners may qualify for up to $25,000 for roof repairs or replacements and up to $50,000 for full rehabilitations or accessibility projects. Loans are forgiven over a three- to five-year period, depending on the project.

Eligible applicants must own and occupy a single-family home in Park Forest and use the property as their primary residence. Income limits apply, with preference given to households earning at or below 50% of the area median income. Overall eligibility is capped at 80% of the median income.

Qualifying projects include roof replacements, major home repairs such as plumbing, electrical or HVAC work, and accessibility modifications such as ramps, wider doorways and bathroom safety upgrades. Accessibility-related projects may also be available for owner-occupied rental properties.

“HRAP is about more than home repairs — it’s about keeping Park Forest families in place, protecting our housing stock and ensuring our residents can live safely and comfortably for years to come,” said Andrew Brown, assistant director of Economic Development and Planning.

The Village hosted an informational open house Sept. 30 at Village Hall to share program details and the application process.