Fayette County holds public hearing on owner-occupied rehabilitation grant; $25,000 cap per household

Fayette County held a special public hearing to gather resident input on the county’s application for an owner-occupied rehabilitation grant that would fund repairs for low- and moderate-income homeowners.

Greg Clymer of Klein Peter Consulting, who conducted the hearing, said, “The maximum that we can spend on any 1 household is $25,000.” He listed likely eligible work as “roofs,” “furnace replacement, air conditioning, water heaters,” and “rewire your house,” and clarified ADA work is limited to “the front steps or the front door of your home,” not in-home accessibility modifications.

Jolisa Bates, the city and county grant administrator, reviewed the program’s history and local administration, saying the county is applying so both city and county residents can access assistance. Bates said applications will be scored on multiple factors, including financial need and age, and noted applicants 65 and older receive additional points though anyone who meets eligibility can apply. She said the county expects to serve roughly 20–25 households in this grant cycle.

Several residents described needed repairs and raised eligibility questions. Nathaniel Ortiz asked whether window work is included; staff replied that applicants may list multiple needs and that applications will be evaluated and prioritized. Linda Weaver, who said she has lived in her house for 50 years, described financial difficulty financing repairs and called the program “a godsend.” Staff told a resident that bathroom tub work would not be covered and confirmed wells are not eligible.

On eligibility, staff said homes must be owner-occupied primary residences but need not be mortgage-free: “It doesn’t have to be paid for,” Greg said, while explaining ownership documentation and income verification will be required. Greg offered example income limits cited for Fayette County—single households up to about $46,000 and two-person households around $51,000–$52,000—and said staff will verify qualifications before applicants complete full paperwork.

If the county’s application is submitted this Friday and is awarded, Clymer said the county would wait for a release of funds from the Office of Community and Rural Affairs before starting work. He outlined post-award steps: program-required radon testing (paid by the program), home inspections that can reveal additional issues, and a public bidding process for local contractors. Clymer estimated work would likely begin late winter or early spring, weather permitting.

Residents asked about resale restrictions; a speaker noted recipients “can’t sell it for 3 years,” and staff said the program includes an occupancy restriction to prevent immediate resale after improvements. Bates committed to public outreach if the county is awarded, including newspaper notices, social media, local TV, posting applications at the grants office, and phone support (222-1310).

The hearing concluded with a motion to adjourn that was seconded and approved by voice vote. The county will submit the application and notify the public if it receives an award.