Struthers council to explain grant use

STRUTHERS — The city will conduct a public meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday in council chambers to explain how the $600,800 Fiscal Year 2007 Community Housing Improvement Program grant will be used.

Guidelines, target area eligibility requirements and applications for assistance will be discussed.

The CHIP grant is federal Community Development Block Grant money disbursed through the Ohio Department of Development to improve housing, said Mayor Daniel Mamula.

Local expenditure categories include: Private home rehabilitation, $254,000; private home repair, $39,000; private rental rehabilitation, $63,000; private rental rehabilitation supplement, $50,000; new construction (primarily Habitat for Humanity), $40,000; and down payment assistance for homeowners, $84,000.

The rest of the grant pays various administrative and inspection costs, Mamula said.