Important Notice
Applications to the Great Homes Update Program closed on July 17, 2023. All program funding has been committed to ongoing projects or paid out as reimbursement incentives.
There are still home design vouchers available through the Great Homes Design Program. Please visit the Great Homes Design Program's webpage for more information.
About
The Great Homes Update Program is an incentive program available for eligible homeowners to apply for a reimbursement incentive to complete projects that rehabilitate, enhance, or refurbish the exterior of their residential property within the Sugar Land city limits.
Matching reimbursement grant funds may be provided for up to 10% or 25% the cost of the project, up to $10,000 maximum. Projects started or completed prior to an application being approved and an agreement being signed will not qualify for the incentive or be reimbursed.
Eligible Projects
Minimum total project cost must be greater than $4,000, excluding sales tax and permitting fees
Projects can be combined to meet the minimum total project cost
All projects must adhere to applicable deed restrictions and restrictive covenants. Applicants are solely responsible for obtaining any HOA/POA approvals and the required permits needed for a project.
Projects qualifying for the program are limited to:
Exterior painting
Addition of new exterior siding, soffit, or trim
Exterior siding replacement
Window replacement
Garage door replacement
Replacement or expansion of driveway and/or front path
Fence replacement
Roof replacement
Only 10% of the roof replacement project cost will count towards your total project cost
Additionally, roof replacement projects must be substantially accompanied by another type of qualifying project to be considered, and the roof of the roof replacement that counts toward the total project cost cannot exceed the cost of other parts of the project
For example, a roof replacement with a total replacement cost of Twenty Thousand and No/100 Dollars ($20,000.00) will only count for Two Thousand and No/100 Dollars ($2,000.00) towards the total project cost. An additional qualifying project totaling at least $2,000.00 will need to be added in order to meet the $4,000.00 minimum total project cost threshold
Addition, expansion, or replacement of front patio
Installation of exterior accent lighting features
Landscaping projects such as tree planting and/or the replacement/addition of turf, shrubs, plants, and trees
Must be substantially accompanied by another qualifying project and cannot exceed the cost of the other project
Must be substantially accompanied by another type of qualifying project to be considered and the cost of the landscaping project cannot exceed the cost of the other project
For example, a $3,000 project could be accompanied by a $1,000 landscaping project to meet the minimum $4,000 minimum total project cost threshold
Home Eligibility Requirements
All single-family houses within the Sugar Land city limits are eligible for the program to receive up to a 10% or 25% reimbursement incentive
Townhouses, multi-family buildings, and condominiums are not eligible
Any occupancy and ownership qualify (Owner-occupied, tenant-occupied, or vacant)
Must be current on taxes and possess homeowner’s insurance
To qualify for a 10% reimbursement incentive
Eligible property's address must be within the Sugar Land city limits
Townhouses, multi-family buildings, and condominiums are not eligible
Must be current on taxes and possess homeowner's insurance (proof for both items required)
To qualify for a 25% reimbursement incentive
Eligible property must be a single-family home constructed in 1994 or earlier
Eligible property must have a Fort Bend County Appraisal District appraised market value of less than $370,000, based on the latest certified appraised values (proof required)
Eligible property's address must be within the Sugar Land city limits
Must be current on taxes and possess homeowner's insurance (proof for both items required)
Townhouses, multi-family buildings, and condominiums are not eligible
The following projects and costs will not be considered eligible or be reimbursed:
Interior home projects;
New pools, hot tubs, spas, and/or water features;
Detached accessory structures;
Back patios;
Carports;
Exterior improvements or other items that are the responsibility of a homeowners association, property owners association, management company, or other third-party;
Any project started before receiving a notice to proceed by the City (this includes deposits, down payments and purchased items); and
Any project for which an insurance claim has been, or could be, submitted; and
Permitting fees and sales tax
Application Process
Applications will be only accepted via the online application portal linked below. Printed applications or physical documents will not be accepted. Applicants must create an account in the online application portal. Once the application is approved and the applicant has received the Notice to Proceed Letter and an executed agreement, the home improvement project can begin.Â
Documentation required to be uploaded with the online application includes:
Completed W9 Form
Proof of Property's Market Value and Build Date (Proof must be obtained from the Fort Bend County Appraisal District (FBCAD) (https://esearch.fbcad.org/)
Proof of being current on taxes (Proof must be obtained from the Fort Bend County Tax Office https://actweb.acttax.com/act_webdev/fbc/index.jsp)
Proof of current homeowner's insurance
Detailed color photographs of the existing conditions
Proposed project documents/drawings/images
Documentation of project cost and project scope
Signed Disclosure of Information on Lead-Based Paint and/or Lead-Based Paint Hazards
Applicants are solely responsible for obtaining required HOA approvals for their project and required permits.
Reimbursement Process
Per the executed agreement, the applicant must complete the approved improvements and submit a complete reimbursement package within 90 days from the commencement of the project. Upon approval of the reimbursement package, city staff will coordinate delivery of a reimbursement grant check to the applicant.
Documentation required to be uploaded with the reimbursement package includes:
Copies of all required permits obtained for the installation of the improvements
Copies of receipts and sufficient supporting documentation showing that all contractors have been paid the total project cost. Documentation may include cancelled checks and/or bank statements.
Letter from property owner warranting those improvements have been completed according to requirements of the agreement
Detailed color photographs of all completed improvements.
Fiscal Year 2023 budgeted funds are $500,000. Applications will be accepted until all program incentive funds have been committed.
If you have any questions about the program, please email greathomes@sugarlandtx.gov or call 713-702-0573. In-person consultations are available and can be requested via email.