Housing fair set Jan. 22 for homeowners needing help with major repairs

A housing fair January 22 is planned for homeowners in the Whitehall area who need home repairs and can't afford them.

"Does the home you own and live in need extensive repairs or work that you cannot afford?" asked Anne Floyd of the CSRA RDC. "Do you need to replace or fixyour heating, electrical or plumbing systems? Do you have a leaking roof or other structural problems? If you're the owner-occupant of a one-family property, you may get your property brought up to standard code. The City of Washington wants to work with you as a partner to help you plan and carry out repairs on your home."

The housing fair will be held Tuesday, January 22, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at The Pope Center.

Floyd, Director of Local Government Services for the Regional Development Center, said that the low-interest housing rehabilitation loan program is available to homeowners whose income falls within the annual guidelines as set by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and who live within the city limits of the City of Washington.

The city of Washington has partnered with the CSRA RDC to prepare a 2008 Community Home Investment Program (CHIP) grant application to fund the program. The program is one part of the multi-year Southwest Washington Urban Redevelopment Plan, which is designed to promote housing redevelopment, promote commercial investment, and clear dilapidated housing in the Whitehall area.

At the housing fair, Floyd and others from the RDC will talk with home owners and help them fill out pre-qualification forms. The program staff will contact homeowners to set up an appointment, then arrange for a property visit and inspection with the rehabilitation advisor. After the property visit, the city staff will prepare a work write-up and cost estimate. The city staff will prepare and submit cost estimates and all necessary applications on behalf of each applicant.

Floyd also said that if the house was built before 1978, it will have to have a lead paint inspection and abatement.

The program is only for homeowners, and the homeowner must intend to live in the home for an additional fiveto 10 years. Homes that need up to $15,000 in repairs must stay in the home for fiveyears, and owners of homes that need between $15,000 and $30,000 of work must live in the home for 10 years after the project is completed, Floyd said.

Homeowners will be expected to put in a small amount of their own money, a minimum of $1,000.

City Administrator Mike Eskew at 706-678-3277 is the point of contact for questions or to apply for assistance.

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