OF STATE. AS OF LAST WEEK THE STATE DEPARTMENT RELEASED 52,000 CLINTON EMAIL PLANNED TO STOP THERE. IS BEING CALLED FREE MONEY FOR SENIORS WHO CAN'T AFFORD TO FIX UP THEIR AGING HOMES. INTEREST-FREE LOANS THAT DON'T HAVE TO BE PAID BACK INTO THEY TRANSFER THEIR ESTATE. TV 10/55'S RICHARD ROSE HAS THE STORY IN TONIGHT'S LONG ISLAND REPORT. Reporter: HANDSHAKES ALL AROUND AS TOWN OFFICIALS CELEBRATED THE COMPLETE MAKEOVER OF TOM AND JOYCE FOX'S CENTURY-OLD HOME. THE HOUSE WAS BUILT IN 1926 AND IT WAS THE ORIGINAL CEDAR SHAPES ON THE HOUSE WITH HOLES IN THEM ALL OVER. NOW IT'S BEAUTIFUL, LOOKS LIKE A BRAND-NEW HOUSE. Reporter: THIS PICTURE SHOWS THE FADED SHINGLES BEFORE THE REPAIRS BUT NOW ALL NEW SIDING AND GUTTERS AND DOWN STAIRS, A NEW FURNACE CONVERTED FROM HEATING OIL TO NATURAL GAS. ALL DONE WITH AN $18,000 FEDERAL LOAN, THE FOXS SAY THEY HAVE NO IMMEDIATE PLANS TO PAY BACK.
DOESN'T HAVE TO BE REPAID UNTIL THE HOUSE IS SOLD OR WE DIE. Reporter: IN MANY RESPECTS IT IS VIRTUALLY FREE MONEY THAT IS OUT THERE FOR SENIORS TO MAKE REPAIRS ON THEIR HOMES. HEMPSTEAD SUPERVISOR ANTHONY SANTINO, THE TOWN HAS RECEIVED A $700,000 GRANT FROM A LITTLE- KNOWN FEDERAL PROGRAM AIMED AT KEEPING SENIORS ON FIXED INCOMES FROM SELLING THEIR HOMES AND MOVING AWAY. THE INTEREST-FREE LOANS MUST ONLY BE REPAID IF THE SENIOR CELLS OR BY WHOEVER INHERITS THE HOME. FOX'S NEIGHBORS ARE THRILLED, THEY SAY IT'S A GOOD DEAL FOR THEM AS WELL. OF COURSE, THE HOUSE IS MORE SYLLABLE NOW AND EVERYTHING AND MY PROPERTY VALUES GO UP TOO. Reporter: OFFICIALS HAVE ENOUGH FEDERAL MONEY TO GRANT INTEREST-FREE LOANS TO AS MANY AS 50 SENIORS. THE FOXES SAY THEIR HOME HAS BECOME QUITE POPULAR. FRIENDS AND FAMILY THAT COME FOR BARBECUES, THEY PASS BY BECAUSE THEY DON'T RECOGNIZE IT.
Reporter: ELIGIBLE HOMEOWNERS CAN APPLY FOR THE LOANS, MONEY THE FOXES EXPECT.
