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Council holds public hearing on owner-occupied CDBG rehab program; 30 applications, 8 completed
Summary
At a public hearing, city staff and program contractor reported 30 applications for the owner-occupied rehabilitation Community Development Block Grant; eight projects are complete and the program cap is roughly $24,999 per home.
The Beatrice City Council opened a public hearing Monday to receive comment on the city’s owner‑occupied rehabilitation Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), a federally funded program that pays for repairs on low‑income owner homes up to about $24,999.
Cole Wissen, an inspector working with the program’s administrator, told the council the grant received 30 applications during its period and that eight projects have been completed and finalized. "Out of the 30 apps that we've received, we've completed 8," Wissen said, adding that six awards are waiting on contractors to schedule work and four projects are currently under construction.
The program’s initial goal was 18 houses; Wissen said the city is "on track to complete 19, hopefully, by this February." He described common reasons applications are not selected, including properties in flood plains, applicants exceeding the low‑income thresholds, late submissions after funds were obligated, or applicants withdrawing for health reasons.
Wissen described the inspection and construction oversight process: staff perform an initial inspection and prepare a work write‑up split into mandatory priority repairs and optional alternatives; they perform progress inspections during construction and a final inspection at project completion. "We do initial inspection... then progress inspections throughout... and then final inspection as well," Wissen said.
Council members asked whether homeowners who receive a grant may reapply; Wissen said he was not "extremely knowledgeable on the whole application process" but that, to his understanding, homeowners can reapply. The city administrator noted the program must follow federal rules that keep recipient addresses and names confidential.
The council closed the public hearing by motion and vote. A motion to close the hearing was made by Mr. McClain and seconded; the motion passed 8 to 0.
Why it matters: the CDBG owner‑occupied rehab program provides targeted repairs to low‑income homeowners and is limited by federal rules and the grant period. Council members and staff said the program helps preserve housing stock but depends on continued funding and contractor availability.
