Osceola County Boosts Emergency Home Repairs with New Grant Program
OSCEOLA COUNTY — In a recent meeting held on September 19, the Osceola County Board of Commissioners took a deep dive into the Emergency Housing Repair Program, particularly focusing on its grant funding for the 2022-2023 fiscal year. This review is a standard requirement for maintaining the grant program.
Commission chair Mark Gregory reported that between July 2022 and August 2023, several impactful projects were successfully completed. These were made possible by funds accumulated from July 2021 to June 2022. He outlined that a total of $38,667 was put to good use in projects like:
- Roof repair for a home in Marion, costing $6,485
- Overhaul of both the septic system and roof in a LeRoy home, coming to $17,086
- New septic and well installation in a home in Hersey, costing $15,096
Moreover, Gregory mentioned that from July 2022 to June 2023, the program saw a sizable income of $112,778. These funds, largely generated through mortgage payoffs, will be allocated for home repairs for the next fiscal year from July 2023 to June 2024. Out of this, $92,478 is earmarked specifically for emergency home repairs, while $20,300 is reserved for program administration.
County administrator Tim Ladd, who currently manages the program, clarified that both he and Jody Waurzyniak, the executive secretary, aren’t pocketing any fees for administering the program. “The administrative cost goes back into the program,” Ladd emphasized.
Commissioner Timothy Michell raised a query about the administrative costs, to which Commissioner Jim Custer replied that they were consistent with what was paid when the Big Rapids Housing Commission was in charge. Custer acknowledged that the transition to in-house management involved a learning curve. He affirmed the need for a qualified person to run the program, citing that the prior administration cost was 18%.
Mark Gregory expressed the board’s intention to hire someone specifically experienced in administering such a program, admitting that the task was rather labor-intensive and complex for the current staff to juggle efficiently.
The Emergency Housing Repair Program aims to provide relief for qualified homeowners needing urgent repairs. Tim Ladd explained that eligible residents are those with a principal residency exemption and a home with a taxable value of less than $64,700. The repairs could range from leaking roofs and hazardous electrical issues to broken windows and malfunctioning septic tanks or wells.
The grants are distributed on a first-come, first-qualified basis. To be eligible, homeowners must have lived in their home for at least one year, must be current on their taxes and insurance, and meet specific income limits.
Residents in Osceola County who find themselves in need of emergency repair assistance can contact the county administrator’s office at 231-832-6196 for application details and eligibility criteria.
