GIRARD City seeks grant to repair houses

Girard's elderly and people who are disabled will receive special consideration for the grant money.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
GIRARD -- The city is applying for a $550,000 federal grant to help fix up houses and assist with home buying.
A public hearing on the proposal will be at 6:30 p.m. April 9 in city council chambers.
The city will know by July if the application for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development grant channeled through the Ohio Department of Development is approved.
Residents will then have until Jan. 31, 2002, to apply for the funds.
Of the total $550,000 being sought for the Comprehensive Housing Improvement Program, or CHIP, $445,000 will be available to the public with the balance used for administration by CT Consultants of Austintown.
Mayor's view: Mayor James Melfi said he likes the program because it coincides with his administration's effort to reduce the properties that have gone into disrepair.
"Overall, this helps the community greatly," Melfi said.
"If you believe in helping people, there's nothing better" because it directly helps the safety and welfare of residents, he noted.
Eligibility for the program depends on income level and target areas designated within the city.
Although income levels have not been determined for the 2001 program, the maximum annual income eligibility in 2000 for a family of two was $29,000; a family of three, $32,600; a family of four, $36,250; a family of five, $39,150; and a family of six, $42,050.
The elderly and people who are disabled receive additional eligibility points, Melfi explained.
Target areas: The Parkwood and Uptown sections are target areas this year.
Parkwood is bounded on the north by Iowa Avenue, Belgrade Avenue to the south and city limits to the east and west.
Uptown is bounded by Church Hill Road to the north, Emma Street to the south, State Street and North Avenue to the west and Ward and St. Clair to the east.
Of the $445,000 available after administrative costs, $220,000 will be used to bring 10 single-family houses up to building code compliance.
Another $25,000 is designated to address two major health and safety issues at six houses.
About five potential buyers will receive a total $75,000 for down-payment assistance. Homebuyers can receive up to $5,000 for down payments and added funds for rehabilitation costs.
About five rental units will receive $100,000 for rehabilitation assistance. Tenants rather than landlords must qualify, and the landlord must pay 25 percent of the rehabilitation cost.
A new program this year, Melfi said, is $25,000 set aside for building a house and selling it.