The city of South Haven is applying for federal funds to help low-income residents pay for home repairs.
At Monday’s regular meeting, the city council held a public hearing on the application for $400,000 in Community Development Block Grant funding. Assistant City Manager Michael Landis told members under the CDBG program, residents with incomes of 80% of the area median or less could apply for grants for all kinds of projects.
“For roofing, HVAC systems, accessibility needs, this is money that the city will award to residents in the sum of $1,000 to $40,000 to get that critical home repair that they could not otherwise afford,” Landis said.
Council was broadly supportive, and Landis asked members to help promote the home repair program should HUD approve the application.
“We got to make sure that we’re able to put the money where it’s best needed. So if anyone has any extra thoughts of where to advertise, put it in the paper, advertise it at the schools, whatever the case might be, I’m all ears.”
Landis has told us the program can be life changing for residents who can’t afford home rehab work.
The federal CDBG dollars are distributed to communities through the Michigan State Housing Development Authority. Landis says the city should find out in October if it’s been approved.
