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Date: 1/7/2020
HILLTOWNS – Housing rehabilitation funds are available for qualified hilltown households, according to Erica Johnson, senior planner for the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission (PVPC).
Johnson said the funds are part of a Community Development Block Grant for the southern hilltowns of Chester, Huntington, Middlefield and Russell. In addition, funds will be available for the first time in many years for housing rehab in Blandford.
“I’m excited,” said Johnson. She said there is always a need for low-income residents to get help with housing repair, which can include roof, siding, windows, doors, heating systems, kitchen and bathroom repair, and septic system. She said the average amount granted for housing rehab is anywhere from $20,000 to $30,000.
Households eligible for the work must be under income guidelines; which are for one person ($49,700); two person ($56,800); three person ($62,900); four person ($70,950); five person ($76,650); six person ($82,350); seven person ($88,000) and eight person ($93,700).
If anyone needs to make improvements to eliminate building code violations, eliminate unsafe or unhealthy conditions, improve weatherization or undertake other necessary repairs to improve the quality of their living conditions, they may email or call Shirley Stephens, PVPC Senior Housing Coordinator at sstephens@pvpc.org or at 781-6045 for an application. Completed forms may be returned to the PVPC at 60 Congress St., Floor 1, Springfield, MA 01004 ATTN: Shirley Stephens. All information received is strictly confidential and will be maintained in the Springfield office of the PVPC.
A public forum for the FY2020 Southern Hilltown Regional CDBG application will take place on Jan. 13 at 6 p.m. at Chester Town Hall. The public is encouraged to attend this meeting to discuss the FY20 application for CDBG funds, which include the housing rehab request, along with roadway and drainage improvement on Prospect Street and Soisalo Road in Chester, and region-wide social service programs.
Another project Johnson said they are seeking to fund in FY20 is a new handicap ramp at Huntington Town Hall. Last year, a CDBG grant paid for design work for the ramp which also connects to Stanton Hall, and this year they have applied for funding for construction.
The Town of Blandford, with the assistance of PVPC, also plans to seek state funding in a separate grant to assist qualified homeowners in making necessary repairs to their homes. Blandford residents are also encouraged to apply for the housing rehab now.
Johnson said the more people that apply for housing rehabilitation by the end of February in all the towns, the more need may be demonstrated by PVPC in support of its FY20 application for CDBG funds.
Some housing rehab funds are also still available from the FY19 grant cycle, Johnson said.