Special Assessment Assistance Program
The goal of the City of Fargo Special Assessment Assistance Program is to help alleviate the burden that special assessments can place on low and moderate income homeowners while at the same time facilitating the improvement of neighborhood infrastructure. The assistance is provided on an annual basis (as funds are available).
Eligibility:
To be eligible for assistance, a person must:
- Have a special assessment with an initial balance that is greater than $500.
Assistance is not available to projects in new developments; the assistance is targeted to projects that are replacing/upgrading infrastructure in existing neighborhoods. (Note: The $500 threshold does not apply to your annual payment, but rather to the original balance per project that was assessed to your property). - Live in an owner-occupied housing unit.
If your residence is a rental unit or has rental units in it, or if it is owned on a contract for deed, it is not eligible for this assistance. - Have a qualifying household income.
Income eligibility will be determined using a household's 2023 income (includes the unadjusted gross income earned by everyone living in your household over the age of 18). Please note that Social Security and Pension benefits are included as income.
What Kind of Assistance is Available?
The City's Special Assessment Assistance Program will pay for a portion of the annual cost of the special assessment levied on a particular property. The homeowner will need to apply for assistance each year, as funds are available, on the basis of annual household income.
Special Assessment Assistance Qualifying Incomes
Income eligibility will be determined using a household's 2023 income (includes the unadjusted gross income earned by everyone living in your household over the age of 18). Please note that Social Security and Pension benefits are included as income. If you meet the above eligibility criteria and your household's total 2023 income was less than the amount listed in the below table, you should consider applying for the assistance.
Persons | Annual Income |
|---|---|
1 | $43,740 |
2 | $49,980 |
3 | $56,220 |
4 | $62,460 |
5 | $67,500 |
6 | $72,480 |
7 | $77,460 |
8 | $82,500 |
How Will I Know When I Can Apply?
The City typically "spreads" special assessment costs to benefiting properties one year after the infrastructure project is completed. You will receive a letter from the City when the project starts in order to let you know the estimated amount of your special assessment, and you will also receive a letter from the City when the project is completed and the special assessment is actually levied against your property.
When you receive notice that your special assessment is being levied, you will also receive notice of the City's Special Assessment Assistance Program. If you feel you might be eligible, contact the Special Assessment Office in order to acquire an application. You will have approximately three weeks to submit your application. We cannot accept applications for assistance until you receive the program notice in the mail.
Is There an Application Deadline?
Applications and required income documentation for the current year's Special Assessment Assistance Program must be submitted by the fall of the current year in order to be considered for assistance through the program (as funds are available).