Housing and Home Repair

The City of Canton offers a wide variety of programs to help residents maintain clean, safe, stable homes in our city neighborhoods. All City of Canton housing programs are open to everyone without regard to race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin.

THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT IS WORKING WITH APPLICANTS TO OBTAIN REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION VIA EMAIL AND/OR MAIL TO KEEP IN OFFICE APPOINTMENTS TO A MINIMUM. WE APPRECIATE YOUR COOPERATION.

Fire Prevention Program

Fire Prevention Program (PDF) - Learn more about it, and how you can apply for the program.

Canton Down Payment Assistance Program

The City of Canton, in conjunction with Community Building Partnership, offers assistance to first-time home-buyers purchasing within the Canton City Limits. The Canton Down Payment Assistance Program provides up to $5,000 to assist with down payment and closing costs to low-to-moderate income first-time home-buyers as a 0% interest rate deferred loan forgiven at the end of 5 years. There is a required buyer contribution of $500.

Please review the Down Payment Assistance Brochure (PDF) and the Preliminary Buyer Disclosure Statement (PDF) for more information. If you are interested in applying or have questions, please contact our HUD Certified Housing Counselor, Traci Skipper, of Community Building Partnership at 330-458-0962.

Emergency Repair Program

The City of Canton Emergency Repair Program is designed to assist low-and-moderate income homeowners located within the City of Canton Limits. An "emergency" is defined as the presence of harmful or threatening conditions where immediate public action is determined necessary. The condition must pose an immediate threat to the health and safety of human life. This assistance applies only to repairs necessary to respond to the emergency. Each repair will be reviewed and considered individually. Please review the Emergency Repair Program Fact Sheet (PDF) to see if your emergency need will qualify.

How to Apply for Emergency Repair Assistance

Contact the Housing Rehab Department at 330-438-3040. Information will be collected and reviewed. If a determination is made that your need qualifies for emergency assistance, an inspector will be sent out to verify the emergency. If we can assist, an application will be given to you to complete and return within 24 hours so we may quickly verify eligibility. It is important that all requested information is received.

Residents who have a Canton mailing address but live in Plain Township should call the Stark County Regional Planning Commission at 330-451-7389 for program information as you will not qualify for assistance through the City of Canton.

Home Repair Programs

Minor Home Repair Program

This program is intended to correct one in-home code compliance issue, which if neglected could adversely affect the health, safety, and welfare of the low-income homeowner. Eligible repairs are: Major electric work, major plumbing work, repair or replacement of steps, porch repairs, installation of a ramp, exterior concrete work, or energy conservation. Only one critical repair item can be addressed.

Roof Replacement Program

This program assistance is established by actual repair/replacement needed to correct roofing, gutter and fascia problems from the gutters up. Only the minimum dollar amount required to correct the roofing needs of the single-family structure shall be awarded. Garages will only be included if they are attached to the single-family structure. Eligible repairs are: Roof repair/replacement, sheathing, rafters, flashing, vents, structural members, soffits, fascia, gutters, downspouts and chimneys.

Housing constructed prior to 1978 that is rehabilitated with federal funds is subject to the Lead-Based Paint Poisoning Prevention Act and the Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act of 1992. A lead-based paint clearance will be required if a painted surface is disturbed in either program above. For more information please review the Lead in Your Home Brochure (PDF).

Application & Eligibility

If you are interested in applying for the Minor Home Repair Program or the Roof Replacement Program, you may review the Housing Rehab Application and Guidelines (PDF) for additional information. If you wish to apply, please print the application, read the instructions, and email the completed application including required documentation and attachments to communitydevelopment@cantonohio.gov or you may mail it to the address noted on the application. If you do not have the capability to print the application you may contact the Department of Community Development at 330-489-3040 and request a 2020 Housing Rehab Application be mailed to you.

Contractors

The Department of Development is looking for reputable contractors to work with the City in serving the community through our federally funded housing rehabilitation programs. If you are interested in being on our list of approved contractors eligible to bid on our projects, complete the following documents: