The funding for home repair programs is administered by the City of Columbus' Department of Development, Housing Division's Homeowner Services Center. The program follows federal guidelines prescribed by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The primary purpose of these programs is to provide low to moderate income homeowners with financing and technical assistance for completing major home repairs including roof and roof elements, HVAC, windows and doors, and other interior and exterior code violations. 

Participating contractors who wish to do business through the City's federally funded programs must meet certain requirements in order to receive and submit bids. Please provide the items from the following checklist to our office for our files:

[  ] Provide a copy of your company's Home Improvement Contractor's License (HIC)*
(see  below) issued by the City of Columbus.

[  ] Provide a valid copy of your Worker's Compensation Certificate.

[  ] Provide a valid Insurance Certificate showing comprehensive coverage.

[  ] Provide a copy of your current Licensure Bond.

[  ] Provide a copy of your W-9 IRS Form.

[  ] Provide a copy of the City's **Contract Compliance Letter Approval. (see below)

If you desire to work as a Lead-Safe Renovator or a Lead Abatement Contractor, please provide the document s from the following checklist, as applicable, in addition to the above documents:

[  ] Provide a copy of your Lead Renovator Certificate of Participation issued by the State Department of Health.

[  ] Provide a copy of your current Lead Abatement Contractor Supervisor License issued by the State Department of Health.

The above items must be submitted to our office prior to receiving any bids under the programs. The documents can be delivered to:

Homeowner Services Center
Department of Development 
Attention: Mr. Kim Stands
757 Carolyn Avenue
Columbus, Ohio 43224

*Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) License

1. Contact: Experiore Assessment @ 614-836-7881 for information and test scheduling. There is a monthly regularly scheduled test ($100). Note: There are expedited tests available each week on Wednesday and Thursday at an additional cost of $55.

Experiore Assessment sends out a packet explaining what will be covered on the test.

• A study guide is available for purchase @ Long's Bookstore.
• Other study material can be obtained @ Long's Bookstore.

2. There is a $160 non-refundable application fee paid at the time of submission to the board of the application and an additional $160 fee paid at the time of a certified 70% passing score on the test.

3. The HIC board meets the first Wednesday of every month. The application must be submitted one week before the monthly meeting for consideration. It takes about one week to find out if an application for licensure has been approved. A packet will go out with the approval letter.

4. There is a $350 fee due for licensure. 

**Contract Compliance Letter

All participating contractors must complete and file the Contract Compliance Application Form. Copies may be obtained at:

Office of the Columbus Equal Business Opportunity Commission 
99 North Front Street 4th Floor 
Columbus, Ohio 43215

or by contacting Ginger Cunningham at 614-645-4764.