City calls meetings for residents in rehabilitation grant target area

ORIGINALLY WRITTEN STAFF
The City of Hillsboro will hold two informational meetings next week for local residents living in the area of town designated for the $270,000 housing rehabilitation grant.


The meetings have been scheduled for 4 p.m. and 7 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 11, at city hall.


The four-block target area is bordered by Second, Third, Main and Madison streets,


The meeting will cover eligibility requirements and the types of projects that can be funded through the program, according to Steven Garrett, city administrator. Applications will also be made available at the meeting.


“Because the funds are provided by HUD (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development), the beneficiaries of the program are to be low- and moderate-income persons or families,” Garrett said.


Property owners who rent houses to low- and moderate-income families may apply for funding, too, but will be required to provide a percentage of the funding themselves, he added.


“The program is not to redecorate houses,” Garrett said. “This program will address problems with major systems of the unit, such as roofing, plumbing or electrical needs. The intent of the program is to add 20 years to the life of houses chosen for the project.”


Limits have been set on how much money can be applied to any one home. Work done on the houses must be done by licensed contractors and meet the city’s building code.


“If a house cannot be rehabilitated within the allowed funding, it cannot be an eligible project,” Garrett said.


The income guidelines have been established as follows: one person living in the house, $24,200; two people, $27,650; three people, $31,100; four people, $34,550; five people, $37,300; six people, $40,100; seven people, $42,850; eight people, $45,600.


“All income information will be kept confidential,” Garrett said.


Residences in the area would be receiving an announcement of the meetings through the mail, he said. If other meetings are necessary, they will be scheduled for the following week.


The housing rehabilitation grant is funded through a grant from the Kansas Department of Commerce and Housing.

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