County, city can fund housing rehabilitation projects
Homeowners in Franklin Township, Bruin, Petrolia, Chicora and Karns City are eligible to apply for a grant to help them get their houses up to code.
The Housing and Redevelopment Authority of the County of Butler received $500,000 from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development’s HOME Investment Partnership Program for its owner-occupied rehabilitation program. The Redevelopment Authority of the City of Butler also received $300,000 this year through the HOME grant, up from $200,000 in previous years.
Ed Mauk, CEO of the Butler County Housing and Redevelopment Authority, said people can apply for money to fund construction and repair projects on their houses. Eligibility for the program is income-based, Mauk said.
“Basically, we bring the whole home up to code, that's part of the program,” Mauk said. “The dollar amounts vary based on the need of the home.”
Pennsylvania’s HOME Program is federally funded and is meant to provide municipalities with grant and loan assistance to expand and preserve the supply of decent and affordable housing for “low- and very low-income Pennsylvanians.”
Uses for the money include new construction and rehabilitation of housing units for affordable rental or homeownership opportunities, rehabilitation of owner-occupied dwelling units and assistance to first-time homebuyers, including acquisition and rehabilitation assistance.
Veronica Walker, executive director of the city redevelopment authority, said she asked the state for more money for the fund this year to help get more houses within the city limits up to code. She said the money doesn’t roll over, so if enough people apply for funds this year, she could ask for more money next year.
“If we get through this quickly, I will up it again for the next application,” Walker said.
According to Mauk, the housing and redevelopment authority can help provide contractors for homeowners who apply. He added recipients of the money may get more if more work is needed.
“They may need a roof redone, for example, and maybe they need electrical work done, so we would have to do that as well,” Mauk said.
To apply for HOME Program funds through Butler County, visit the housing and redevelopment authority’s website at housingauthority.com/31/Residents. To apply for funds through Butler’s redevelopment authority, visit the Pennsylvania DCED website for an application.
