Paris council backs $20,000 Repair Affair program to help low‑income and elderly homeowners

City planner Oay Ammensa presented a proposed Repair Affair program to the Paris City Council on March 9 that would recruit volunteers, donors and contractors to perform one‑day safety and maintenance repairs for qualifying homeowners. Ammensa said the city has budgeted $20,000 for the program and is targeting a single Saturday between May 16 and June 27 for the inaugural event.

Ammensa outlined eligibility criteria drawn from the model program: owner-occupants who are elderly (age threshold referenced in the presentation as 65+), disabled or low income (approximately 50% of area median income or less). Typical activities described include building ramps, installing handrails and grab bars, limited plumbing and electrical work, porch and deck repairs, exterior painting and yard cleanup. Ammensa emphasized the program is intended for safety and essential repairs, not remodeling or cosmetic projects.

A video and testimonials shown to council illustrated the volunteer model: local nonprofits and community volunteers donate labor and materials to stretch municipal dollars. Ammensa said the city will be proactive about outreach, post application forms to the city website, form a small review committee to screen applicants with technical input from the building official, and require liability releases from participants and property owners.

Council members expressed support and asked about marketing, liability and nonprofit partnerships. Ammensa said legal and form reviews were underway and that staff will contact nonprofits such as Habitat and other local groups to coordinate volunteer labor. “The city budget assigned to this project is $20,000,” Ammensa said during the presentation.

Next steps: staff will finalize application materials, form volunteer/selection committees and begin outreach and marketing once program logistics and liability forms are complete.