Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Housing Rehab topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commissioners authorize owner‑occupied rehab application using opioid settlement funds; program to target low‑income households
Summary
A resolution authorizing an application and local match for an owner‑occupied rehabilitation program using opioid settlement (abatement) funds was approved. The county and grant administrator plan income-based eligibility, home inspections and a scoring matrix for applications.
Jennings County commissioners approved a resolution authorizing submission of an application and any required local match to fund an owner‑occupied rehabilitation program using opioid settlement abatement funds, presenters said.
Representatives from ARIA and its contractor partner described plans to adapt existing owner‑occupied rehabilitation operations to use opioid settlement dollars for housing repair and abatement activities. “We have a contract with JVAC Group, grant administration services,” said Whitney Kelly of ARIA. Program staff said the resolution authorizes using available opioid settlement funds (presenters referenced approximately $55,000 for the proposed activity) and that additional funds previously allocated to related programs remain available for future requests.
Staff described an objective scoring matrix for applications. Applications will be open to qualifying households that meet HUD income limits (presenters said the program will use the standard HUD thresholds, e.g., 80% of area median income) and will include income verification and a home inspection to determine repair eligibility. JWAC (the local advisory/administration committee) will screen and score online applications; those deemed viable will be forwarded to county staff for final determination using the county’s spreadsheet scoring tool.
County commissioners asked about whether the program would be limited to persons with substance‑use histories; presenters said the program is not restricted to those with substance‑use disorders and is open to eligible low‑income homeowners generally. County officials requested clarity about matching funds and whether the program would draw on previously allocated opioid settlement dollars; presenters said the resolution authorizes the application and that the program will initially use funds already set aside, with the option to return for additional allocations if needed.
A commissioner moved to approve the resolution; the motion was seconded and carried by unanimous voice vote.
Presenters said ARIA and its partner will monitor the online application portal, download applicant data for scoring, and work with local partners to verify circumstances. Commissioners asked staff to confirm program targeting and eligibility language in the final resolution before execution.
