HHA partners with City of Hudson to sponsor the Heritage Home Program

New Cleveland Restoration Society Program offers technical assistance, financial aid to the owners of older homes in Hudson.

Hudson Heritage Association will host Jessica Ugarte on Thursday, March 14th 2013 at 7:30 p.m. at the Barlow Community Center, S. Oviatt St. She will be sharing information about the Heritage Home Program, sponsored by the Cleveland Restoration Society.

For the past 20 years, the Heritage Home Program (HHP) has helped owners of older homes in NE Ohio preserve their properties in harmony with the goals of historic preservation. This year, Hudson Heritage and the City of Hudson have partnered with Cleveland Restoration Society to make the Heritage Program available to Hudson residents.

The program offers home owners free advise on the variety of maintanence and repair issues that are unique to older homes (at least 50 years). According to HHP, the free technical assistance component of the program ensures that the homeowners will not have to guess as to what work the home needs or how it really should be done. The HHP construction manager or other preservation staff can answer specific questions on topics such as routine maintenance, energy efficiency, upgrading older systems, or even provide best-practice suggestions for repair or restoration of original features.

In addition to the free techincal assistance, the HHP’s fixed-rate, low interest loan program offers qualified borrowers an additional incentive to invest in the long-term stability and enhancement of their property. Currently as low as 2%, the HHP loan can be used for almost any sort of home projects including roof repair, painting, kitchen updates and bath remodeling, HVAC systems, code compliance work and energy efficiency upgrades. Notes Kelly Berger, President of Hudson Heritage Association, “The Heritage Home Program provides the owners of older homes in Hudson with technical know-how and financing, if needed, to make sure our older neighborhoods remain vibrant and vital parts of the community.”

As Program Assistant for the Heritage Home Project, Jessica Ugarte will provide technical preservation assistance to homeowners and offer guidance and support to current and prospective loan clients. She also coordinates the outreach and development for the organization’s western operating area, and assisits the Preservation Services department with special projects and workshops. Jessica holds both a Bachelor of Arts and Masters of Science degrees in Historic Preservation.

The Hudson Heritage meeting is free and open to the public and will be held at the Barlow Community Center on S. Oviatt St, Hudson, OH. The meeting begins at 7:30 p.m. and will continue with refreshments. For more information call 330-342-7996.