County Offers Grants for Home Upgrades

In Cambria County, an impactful opportunity awaits low-income families seeking home improvements, with the Whole-Home Repairs program entering its second year. This state-funded initiative allocates funds of up to $10,000 for eligible applicants to undertake essential home renovation projects, encompassing roofing, windows, insulation, furnaces, and more. Currently, there is an unclaimed pool of over $1.41 million from the $1.773 million initially designated for Cambria County.

Renee Daly, the Executive Director of the Redevelopment Authority of Cambria County, emphasizes the need to raise awareness about the available program. Despite the program being accessible to every municipality in the county, numerous awards remain unclaimed, prompting a call to action.

The program operates on a first-come, first-served basis, and interested individuals must meet specific income limits. For instance, the maximum income for a single-person household is $43,400, with varying limits for larger households. According to Tom Chernisky, a Cambria County commissioner, there are still 141 awards available across 38 municipalities. Each municipality received one award for every 3,000 residents.

Melissa Komar, Executive Director of the Johnstown Redevelopment Authority, clarifies that the program exclusively caters to homeowners meeting income criteria, and residing in the homes they own. Landlords and businesses are ineligible. Notably, each approved applicant has the opportunity to receive the full $10,000, and there is encouragement to utilize the entire allocated amount for eligible projects.

Eligible projects encompass a range of replacements or repairs, including roofing, soffit, facia, windows, doors, siding, insulation, furnaces, and boilers. A distinctive feature of the program is that approved homeowners have the flexibility to choose their own contractors. The disbursement process involves an upfront payment of 50% of the costs to the contractor, with the remainder issued upon confirmation of project completion to the homeowner’s satisfaction.

All funds must be allocated by December 31, 2026, with Cambria County being among the first three counties in Pennsylvania to gain approval for this commendable program. Collaboration between Cambria County and Johnstown redevelopment authorities, evident in past initiatives like the $3.3 million home winterization program under the American Rescue Plan Act, showcases a commitment to community improvement.

From an economic perspective, the program not only provides work opportunities for local contractors but also serves to prevent homes from deteriorating into blight. Chernisky underscores the community-wide benefits of the program and urges potential eligible individuals to apply promptly. For those interested in the Whole Home Repair program, contacting Renee Daly at 814-472-6711 or via email at rdaly@co.cambria.pa.us is the first step toward transformative home improvements.