CLEARFIELD – The Clearfield County Commissioners on Tuesday morning voted to apply for approximately $257,580 in HOME funding through the Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development.
Community Development Specialist Lisa Kovalick said the funding will be used to prevent blighted housing countywide. She said it will assist homeowners with housing repairs to increase their safety and well-being.
She said housing repairs may include roofing, windows and doors, siding, new electrical wiring, plumbing, mold removal, installation of smoke alarms, testing and treatment of radon and repair/replacement of foundations, porches and steps.
Kovalick said statistics show that approximately 36 percent of the county’s housing stock was built in 1939 or earlier while 37 percent was built from 1940-1979 and 22 percent was built from 1980- 1999. The other 5 percent was built from 2000 on.
“Almost three-quarters of Clearfield County’s housing stock is 50-plus years old and over one-third is 72-plus years old,” she said, adding housing and blight studies from the past six years also show families and seniors need help with home repairs and maintenance.
Kovalick said the HOME funding will assist eligible homeowners with repairs that otherwise wouldn’t be possible. An applicant’s eligibility will be based upon income and ownership; and they must be current on county, local and school taxes.
The income guidelines are as follows for a:
- one-person household with annual income below $35,400.
- two-person household with annual income below $40,450.
- three-person household with annual income below $45,500.
- four-person household with annual income below $50,550.
- five-person household with annual income below $54,600.
- six-person household with annual income below $58,650.
- seven-person household with annual income below $62,700.
- eight-person household with annual income below $66,750.
Kovalick said because the overall goal is blight prevention, repair work on homes will be very comprehensive. She estimated work will be completed on two to three homes each year, and any interested person may be placed on the waiting list.
Finally, she reminded interested persons that it could take the county anywhere from six months to one year to receive the HOME program funding. For more information or questions, contact Kovalick at 814-765-5149.
