Emergency Repair Assistance Offered to Eligible Homeowners through CDBG Funds
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The Community Development Block Grant program is providing financial aid to qualified county residents who require emergency home repairs or rehabilitation. The program is funded through CDBG grants, which are awarded through the Arizona Department of Housing from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The funds can primarily benefit low and moderate-income individuals who require emergency repair work for their homes, slum or blight conditions, and health and safety issues.
The county’s Development Services Director, Dan Coxworth, and Planner Susan Bronson have identified several possible projects that can be funded with the county’s $498,872 CDBG award. The funds can be utilized for public roads, sidewalks, water and sewer lines, parks and community facilities, and child care, job training, health care, and substance abuse programs. The county can also use the funds for comprehensive plans, community development plans, or other plans and studies.
However, Supervisor Ann English suggested using the funds to aid the Elfrida Water Improvement District for needed repairs. Still, Coxworth explained that the district would need closer to $2 million, making it unfeasible. Supervisor Peggy Judd suggested the Bowie Water Improvement District, but Coxworth explained that it would require close to $1 million for that project. Supervisor Tom Crosby and Supervisors English and Judd leaned toward the program to help homeowners with emergency repairs and home rehabilitation. Though the program requires staff to sort through documents, including income documentation and tax returns, they believe the program will aid the communities in dire need.
To qualify for the emergency home repair program, a single income earner must make $31,000 or less annually, and the limit for a family of four is $44,400. The program is available to those who own and live in their homes, not rental homes. The grant awarded was noncompetitive, but there are other competitive CDBG grants available for other larger projects, as noted by Bronson.
County residents will have the opportunity to voice their thoughts on what the program funds should be used for during the scheduled meeting on Tuesday, March 28. Once approved, the county has 18 months to spend the money. The funds can also be utilized for repairs after high wind, flooding, or storm damage as long as homeowners qualify. Though the current cap is set at $15,000, available sums could go higher depending on dire needs.
