Curb Appeal Program

About the Program

The City of Jackson's Curb Appeal Program offers financial assistance for eligible home improvements to the front of your home. The program aims to enhance neighborhood beautification across the City. This initiative recognizes that attractive front facades contribute to stronger neighborhoods and can increase property values for participating homeowners and their neighbors.

Approved projects can receive support for 80% of eligible costs, up to a maximum of $2,500.

Eligible Properties Include:

• Owner-occupied single-family homes
• Two-unit properties where at least one unit is occupied by the property owner
• Properties located within the City of Jackson

Ineligible Properties Include:

• Larger multi-unit structures
• Non-owner occupied structures
• Vacant structures
• Commercial structures

Examples of Eligible Projects (must be on the street-facing side of the home):

• Landscaping (trees, flowers, shrubs, mulch, stone, pavers, one-time lawn maintenance)
• Tree, stump, or shrub trim and removal
• Exterior power washing
• Siding repair, replacement, painting, staining
• Fencing removal only
• Deck, porch, step, railing installation, repair, replacement, painting, staining
• Windows, doors, trim installation, repair, replacement
• Gutter, soffit, fascia installation, repair, replacement (all sides of home are eligible for these specific items)
• Lighting installation, repair, replacement
• Tuck-pointing, masonry reconstruction
• Private walk, driveway, or driveway apron installation, repair, replacement

Ineligible Projects Include (but are not limited to):

• Any back or side-yard projects (except for gutters, soffits, and fascia on all sides of the home)
• Purchase or planting of annuals
• Accessibility features (ramps, grab bars, etc.)
• Roof repair/replacement
• Routine lawn/landscaping maintenance (mowing, leaf removal, snow removal, seasonal maintenance, etc.)
• Fertilizer/pesticides (purchase or application)
• Installation of fruit/vegetable/flower raised beds
• Tool purchase/rental
• Permit/application fees

The Curb Appeal Program will only reimburse for professional licensed labor. You cannot be reimbursed for work you do yourself or for work paid to an unlicensed person. All projects must be pre-approved by the Community Development Department staff. Financial assistance will NOT be provided for projects started or completed before program approval. Please download the Curb Appeal Program Guidelines for complete rules and regulations.

Eligibility Requirements

To be considered for the program, the following basic requirements must be met:

• The property must be located within the City of Jackson's jurisdictional boundaries.
• The property must be an occupied residential structure (commercial structures are ineligible), and must be the primary residence of the property owner
• The property may not have more than two (2) units; at least one unit must be occupied by the property owner.
• The property must have clear and marketable title, properly recorded at the Jackson County Register of Deeds. Contracts for deed, installment contracts, and land sales contracts are specifically excluded.
• You must be current on all property taxes, special assessments, water utility billings, AHB judgments, and other costs charged by the City of Jackson. You must not have any unresolved violations from the City, State of HUD.
• You must be sufficiently insured and current on payments.
• You must be current on mortgage payments or loans involving the property, if any. All existing mortgage(s) or loan(s) on the property must be in the name(s) of one or more owners of the property.
• You must not be in foreclosure or bankruptcy.

Applicant's annual household income may not exceed 80% of the current area median income (AMI) as published annually by HUD, adjusted for family size (see chart below). Annual household income includes the combined income of all adult persons 18 years of age or older residing in the property. Applicant's income must be stable and verifiable (evidence of two years' employment, if applicable). Income will be determined via submission of a current 1040 tax form or other staff-approved income verification documentation.

Number of Persons in Household

How to Apply

Interested households can download/print the Curb Appeal Application, or the materials can be obtained from the City of Jackson, 3rd Floor (Community Development Department). All completed applications and required documents must be signed and submitted via in-person delivery or mailed to:

City of Jackson Community Development Department

R/E: Curb Appeal Application

Attn: Samantha Wagner

161 W. Michigan Avenue Jackson, MI 49201

swagner@cityofjackson.org 

Applicants must complete the program application and receive written approval before work begins. If a project is approved, work can begin immediately. Applications will be processed and funding will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, until program funds have been exhausted. City of Jackson staff will provide one reminder regarding any necessary missing/additional documents needed to complete your application review. Applicants failing to submit all necessary documents after this reminder will not be considered.

Contractor Payment Instructions

Requests for payment must be submitted on the Curb Appeal Payment Request Form. Incomplete forms or requests made without all required supporting documentation will not be considered.  Payments can only be made to the applying contractor. A household can request payment for approved projects ONCE every twelve (12) months. Projects can be supported for 80% of eligible costs, up to $2,500. Only work completed AFTER initial application approval and BEFORE a request for payment will be considered for financial support. Projects undertaken that were not part of the original application/approval may not be approved.