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March 22, 2010 For more information, contact: Homeowners Needed for New Home Renovation Grants Homeowners in the region who are interested in having their homes considered for housing renovations should contact Meramec Regional Planning Commission, announced Wayne Langston, president of the Meramec Community Enhancement Corp. (MCEC) According to Langston, MCEC has been awarded two grants, one from the Missouri Housing Development Corporation for $264,000, and one from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines for $145,000. Some $66,000 of the MHDC grant is targeted for homes in Hermann, which is designated by the state as a DREAM community. The balance of the funds—$198,000 of MHDC’s grant and $145,000 of FHLB funds—can be used on homes across the eight-county Meramec Region. MCEC is a 501©3 that works in partnership with Meramec Regional Planning Commission. Meramec Regional Planning Commission will carry out the projects on behalf of MCEC. “We are pleased to have the opportunity to provide these funds to improve the quality of some homes for lower income homeowners as well as provide additional work for local contractors,” said Langston. Homeowners wishing to participate in the program should contact MRPC. “We have a homeowner waiting list for housing renovations projects as we were not able to meet all the needs from last year,” explained MRPC Community Development Specialist Patti Adams, who serves as project administrator. “We continue to add to the list, so homeowners who want to have their homes considered for improvements need to contact our office and get their names on the waiting list,” she added. Homeowners must meet income eligibility requirements to be included in the program. Homes renovated under the program must also be insured and be located outside the floodplain. Other eligibility criteria may also apply. The MHDC program aims to assist homeowners who need to address major structural or mechanical components, such as electrical, plumbing, roofing and heating updates as well as windows, siding and lead paint issues. Renovations costs, under the MHDC grant, cannot exceed $20,000 per home, and homeowners must sign a three-year land-use restriction agreement. With the FHLB program, the average cost per home is $5,000, and this program is designed to address an emergency need or when one major item—such as a furnace or a roof that needs replaced. With this program, the homeowner must sign a five-year restriction agreement. To increase efficiencies with the programs, MRPC will group homes in close geographical proximity for bidding and renovation. Once a homeowner has met the eligibility criteria and been approved for the grant, Chuck Cantrell, MRPC rehab specialist and inspector, inspects the homes, prepares work write-ups for each home and hosts a walk-through so contractors can see and discuss work to be performed. The work will then be bid, and the homeowner will select the contractor to be used. Renovation work usually takes about 45 days per home. Cantrell inspects the work throughout the process. Homeowners needing more information or wanting to apply for the program may contact Adams at (573) 265-2993 or by email at padams@meramecregion.org. |