State OKs housing aid for residents in Valley

Some of the money will help people make down
payments on homes.

By MARC KOVAC

VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT

COLUMBUS — The state Controlling Board signed off on more than $6 million for housing assistance to low-income households, including a number in Columbiana and Mahoning counties.

The funds, through the Housing Assistance Grant Program, were awarded to 37 nonprofit groups serving residents in 66 counties, according to documents.

Proceeds will be used to repair more than 2,500-plus homes and to provide down-payment assistance to 72 households and home-buyer counseling to 202 more, according to documents.

A state advisory board recommended the grant recipients after a June meeting.

Recipients included:

UCommunity Action Agency of Columbiana County, $73,500, for emergency home repairs and handicapped-accessibility modifications to 22 households (33 individuals) in Columbiana County.

U Interfaith Home Maintenance, $210,000, for emergency home repairs and handicapped-accessibility modifications to 250 households (550 individuals) in Mahoning County.

In other business, the board approved a $100,000 grant for a high-tech project at Kent State University, the second allocation from a two-year $200,000 award approved earlier.

The funds, offered through the Thomas Edison Program, are being used by the university’s Liquid Crystal Institute as matching funds for a National Science Foundation effort related to liquid crystal elastomers.

The new type of material has “tremendous potential for applications such as adaptive optics elements, actuators, sensors and artificial muscles,” according to documents.

Members OK’d the transfer and release of about $9,000 to cover additional administration services related to a new boat launching ramp and parking area at West Branch State Park.