Home rehab committee meets with homeowners to help with RDC program loan pre-qualification
By KIP BURKE news editor

A public hearing and housing fair Tuesday evening brought out a crowd of some 60 homeowners interested in obtaining low-interest housing rehabilitation loans to fixup their homes.

Anne S. Floyd, Director of Local Government Services for the Regional Development Center, opened the public hearing by describing for those attending all the help that is available to the owners of homes in need of repair.

After the public hearing, Floyd and local volunteers interviewed homeowners and helped them fillout pre-qualificationforms to see whose needs met the program's aims.

The program has income limits that vary with the size of the family, and funds are available only to owner-residents whose homes need substantial work to be brought up to standard code. Homes was built before 1978 will have to have a lead paint inspection and abatement.

The local committee will have to choose the most qualified homeowners and most needy homes, because with the available funds, the program will only be able to fixsix to eight homes the first year, Floyd said.

Later, the program staff will contact selected 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 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 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.

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.

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