Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Housing Grants topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Housing authority seeks $200,000 Fair grant to renovate home for returning‑citizens program
Summary
Clinton County Housing Authority told commissioners it will apply for Fair and RTT funds to renovate a two‑bedroom authority‑owned house to support the returning citizens program; staff said the county would administer the grant if awarded and the request is a preliminary $200,000.
The Clinton County Housing Authority told commissioners at a Nov. 10 work session it will apply for Fair grant funding and county real‑estate transfer tax (RTT) funds to renovate a two‑bedroom house that would support its returning citizens program.
“We'd like to apply for the fair grant again this year,” an authority presenter said, adding the request would fund renovation of a housing authority‑owned two‑bedroom unit to accommodate program participants who have families or seek reunification with relatives. The presenter said the Commerce Street facility does not currently support those needs.
Staff described the preliminary ask as $200,000, noting a firm renovation estimate from M&R was not yet available and that the figure was based on previous Commerce Street renovation expenses. County staff explained Clinton County is eligible for Marcellus Shale Fair funds (about $32,000) and that remaining funds could come from the county’s real estate transfer tax (RTT) balance.
Tia Walker of the housing authority described the agency’s Family Self‑Sufficiency (FSS) program, which pairs case management with participant goal plans aimed at employment and reduced reliance on cash assistance. “Participants do come up with other goals such as maybe homeownership, improving credit scores,” she said, and added that program participants who increase income have the difference in rent escrowed for them until program completion.
Walker said the program currently has 27 participants and has graduated eight people to date; the most recent graduate received nearly $16,000 at completion. She said participants may remain in the program up to five years, with an average completion time of roughly two and a half to three years.
Commissioners asked about grant administration. Staff said the housing authority would apply (with county support) and that if the grant is awarded it would be administered through the county planning department; a separate provider, Step, is pursuing its own home‑rehab funding.
No formal grant award or resolution was taken at the Nov. 10 work session; staff said commissioners will be asked at the Nov. 13 meeting to pass a resolution to apply for the funds if the board elects to proceed.
