Wooster council approves joint application for CDBG 'CHIP' housing grant

The Wooster City Council on May 19 voted to authorize the city to join a partnership with Wayne County and neighboring municipalities to apply for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds under the Community Housing Impact and Preservation (CHIP) program.

City staff described the program as a source of grants and forgivable mortgages to help low-income homeowners with critical repairs such as leaking roofs, failing utilities, or septic failures. "The CHIP program stands for Community Housing Impact Preservation," Jonathan, a city staff member, told the council, outlining the program's focus on emergency home repairs and whole-home rehabilitation to prevent blight.

Council suspended the rules and passed Resolution 2025-40 to allow the city to submit a competitive application to the Ohio Department of Development. The council also authorized a related agreement with the Wayne Metropolitan Housing Authority to provide administrative consulting services for the program; the agreement was enacted immediately after council approved Resolution 2025-41.

Council members said the program has helped return federal CDBG dollars to local communities in previous funding cycles and that countywide coordination helps improve competitiveness for limited state and federal funds. Council approved both pieces by roll call vote after motions to suspend the rules; votes on both items were recorded as affirmative by attending members.

Staff said the funding being applied for comes from federal CDBG allocations administered by the Ohio Department of Development and that the application is competitive. If awarded, the program will be administered locally with the assistance of the Wayne Metropolitan Housing Authority and will require public hearings and outreach to potential applicants.

Council members urged staff to continue public information efforts so residents who may qualify can apply for assistance when the program is available.