Madison council approves application for $350,000 owner-occupied rehab grant
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Summary
The Madison City Council voted unanimously Feb. 17 to approve resolution 2026-1c authorizing an application for a $350,000 Owner-Occupied Rehabilitation grant from the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs, matched by $54,469 in regional funds for a $404,469.09 project to assist up to 20 low-to-moderate-income homeowners.
Madison — The Madison City Council on Feb. 17 approved resolution 2026-1c, authorizing the city to apply for a $350,000 owner-occupied rehabilitation Community Development Block Grant from the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA). Patty Jackson, deputy director for the Southern Indiana Planning Commission and grant administrator, said the award would be paired with $54,469 in regional planning commission funds for a total project cost of $404,469.09.
"On or before March 1, the City of Madison will be submitting an application for $350,000 to the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs," Patty Jackson said during a council presentation. Jackson said the program would assist low-to-moderate-income households, prioritizing elderly residents, people with disabilities, single-parent heads of household and veterans.
The program proposal calls for assistance to about 20 owner-occupied homes within Madison for repairs and upgrades such as roof repair or replacement, new water heaters, HVAC replacement, electrical upgrades, ADA threshold or handrail work and radon mitigation if tests indicate a need. Jackson described a competitive sealed bidding process for construction work and said each property will be submitted to the State Historic Preservation Office for review before work begins.
Erica Klein, the city's grant and project manager, said the city and the Southern Indiana Planning Commission have held public engagement meetings to document community need. In response to a resident question about contractor timelines, Jackson said contractors will have 90 days to complete work after the notice to proceed is issued.
Resident Debbie Beaman of Walnut Street asked whether contractors would face time limits; Jackson replied: "We'll issue a notice to proceed, and then they'll have 90 days to complete the work from that time period." Jackson also clarified contracts will involve the contractor and homeowner and require the mayor's signature.
The council approved the resolution by roll-call vote. Council members recorded on the roll that voted in favor were Patrick Tevano, Carla Krebs, Lucy DeTillo, Josh Schafer, Joel Storm, Jim Bartlett and Josh Wilford. The resolution authorizes submission of the grant application; final award and project start are contingent on OCRA funding decisions and subsequent contracting.