File photo
File photo
The City of Galesburg received $470,000 in state funding to help low-income homeowners make needed repairs.
According to the Register-Mail, officials of the Illinois Housing Development Authority on April 16 announced that $11 million in assistance would be provided to 25 local governments and nonprofit organizations for home repairs.
Titled “Single Family Rehabilitation,” the funding will establish local programs to help homeowners make housing and safety repairs.
“The program provides forgivable loans (no repayment) of up to $45,000 per household to assist homeowners in making repairs to remove documented health and safety hazards that 'undermine the integrity of their home,'” the report said.
Improvements to roofing, flooring, electrical and plumbing, siding or other code or safety issues will be targeted. The program also has a “roof-only” option offering up to $16,500 to repair roof damage.
City staffers said the average house upgrade costs are about $40,000 for electrical, plumbing, siding, roofing and whatever other work is necessary to pass local building codes.
Galesburg Public Works Director Wayne Carl told the Register-Mail the program would begin upgrade work on eight local Galesburg homes. To qualify, the homes must have low- to moderate-income residents and be owner-occupied.
“The Western Illinois Regional Conference of Governments will administer the grant for the city,” Carl said.
The city has not decided who will receive the funding and will open up an application process for residents who qualify. Applications will be available at the Galesburg City Hall once it has reopened from the shutdown caused by the COVID-19 virus. Applications will also be available on the city’s website.
Those interested in applying can contact City Housing Coordinator Judy Gunseth by calling 309-345-3652.
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