Lewis County hears final report on $621,000 CDBG housing-rehabilitation program
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Summary
At a public hearing Lewis County heard a final report on a $621,000 Community Development Block Grant housing-rehabilitation program, which completed or nearly completed 11 projects countywide and is expected to finish by Jan. 1, 2026.
Lewis County legislators opened a public hearing on the county’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) housing rehabilitation program and received a summary of accomplishments from Robert Grunertloud, executive director of Snowbelt Housing Company.
Grunertloud told the board that Lewis County was awarded just over $621,000 through the CDBG program to support single- and multi-family housing rehabilitation. The original application estimated average construction costs of about $35,000 per home, projecting a total construction budget near $510,000. The grant agreement took effect in February 2024 and requires all funds be spent within 24 months, by February 2026.
“As the program comes to a close, we have completed or are completing 11 total projects — nine owner-occupied and two renter-occupied — with eight fully complete and three in their final stages,” Grunertloud said. He described typical repairs as roofing, windows, doors, heating, electrical, plumbing and lead-hazard control intended to help low- and moderate-income residents remain safely in their homes.
Grunertloud reported the program assisted 14 households in total: three senior households, four led by single women, five households including individuals with disabilities, and two larger young families. Projects were distributed across Lewis County, including Harrisville, Fort Leiden, Constableville, Copenhagen, Osceola, Turin, West Leiden and Laubel. He said the final construction cost is expected to come in at approximately $508,000 and that all projects should be complete no later than Jan. 1, 2026.
The chair closed the hearing after no additional public comments were offered. No formal vote or further action on the CDBG contract was recorded at the hearing; this session served as the second required public hearing to update the board and the public on project accomplishments.
Next steps noted by staff include finalizing outstanding work on the three in-progress projects and completing required closeout paperwork to meet the February 2026 spending deadline.
