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Clinton County planning staff urge application for federal HOME housing funds
Summary
Planning staff urged Clinton County commissioners to consider applying for federal HOME funds to rehabilitate owner‑occupied homes for very low‑, low‑ and moderate‑income households. Staff described eligible repairs and program conditions and invited public comment by mail, email, phone or in person.
Beth, a member of Clinton County planning staff, told the Jan. 27 work session that the county should consider applying for federal HOME funds to support rehabilitation of owner‑occupied housing.
"The HOME grants were created by the National Affordable Housing Act, and they're the most significant federal grant that's available for communities like ours to offer affordable housing," Beth said. She said the program is intended to "expand and preserve decent affordable housing for low to moderate income residents" and described eligible work as roofing, electrical repairs, heating, handicap accessibility upgrades and energy improvements.
Beth listed program qualifications: households must own the home, carry homeowners insurance, be current on taxes and utilities and agree to remain in the home for several years after work is completed so properties are not flipped for profit. "It is designed to benefit households with very low, low, or moderate income," she said.
Beth invited public input and supplied contact information for Clinton County Planning: a mailing address (Clinton County Planning, 2 Piper Way, Suite 400, Block Haven, PA 17745), an email she read aloud (planning@clintoncountypa.com) and a phone number ((570) 893‑4080); she then corrected the county domain/website to clintoncountypa.gov.
A commissioner at the meeting said the program is much needed in the community. Another commissioner offered the board's support for proceeding with the application process, saying, "And whatever we need to do to support you applying for the grant, you can count on that." The planning staff did not set a application deadline during the session and asked for public comment as part of the application consideration process.
No formal vote or approval was recorded on Jan. 27; planning staff said the item was being discussed to gather input and to prepare an application for consideration.
