Tyrone Council members are expected to pass a resolution Monday which will allow administrators to apply for state monies for therehabilitation of low-and moderate-income based homes in the community.
According to Phyllis Garhart, the borough’s director of administration, the Housing Rehabilitation Program is currently completing ten projectsand funds are already earmarked for five more projects that will ensurethese qualifying homes better health precautions, safety measures andenergy efficiency.
“This program really helps the community, especially the elderly,” said Garhart. “Many residents are on a fixed income and wouldn’t be able toafford these necessary improvements on their own. That’s where thesefunds come into play. It allows the necessary work to be completed thatwill bring the homes up to the proper code specifications.”
According to Garhart, the borough completed a housing survey in 1995 and reported more than 400 homes were in need of rehabilitation. She said ninety-one individuals have applied for the state-funded program and the list will dwindle to 74 once this round of work is completed.
“We’re real excited about the progress of this program and are happy with the results that we’re seeing so far,” said Garhart, noting the 10 projects that are near completion. “Because we’ll have some funding left over from the previous year, we’ll be adding that in our application just to show how committed we are to this program. It’s not a requirement that we provide any match, but again, it will show our commitment.”
Should council pass the resolution as expected, the $320,000 grant application will be submitted to the state. If the state then grants the application, the resolution passed by council will be sent to the County of Blair Redevelopment and Housing Authority for processing.
“COBRAH is the administrator of this program,” said Garhart. “As people call to apply, COBRAH will determine the proper program each will be placed in.”
According to Garhart, applicants would then be placed on a waiting list. Low-income elderly residents would get first priority, followed by low-income families, then moderate-income families.
When a project is scheduled, one of three qualified inspectors will then be assigned to examine the home to determine what improvements need to be made. In each case, a $1,500 “delivery” fee is used to pay for the inspection.Garhart said only lead-certified contractors are authorized to conduct these inspections.
“A major problem we’re seeing is the amount of lead contained in a good number of these mostly older homes,” she said. “There may be an elderly person in that home now, but when the current resident doesn’t live there any longer, a family may move and they may have small children. This lead could pose a danger to them.
“So, essentially, you’re not only improving the conditions of the home at the present time, you’re also protecting the lives of the next resident who may live there.”
After a contractor inspects the home and outline the needs – which could include new windows, installation of insulation or better siding – the contractor would then make up a work plan. Each home is eligible for up to $20,000 in improvements.
“Anything above this $20,000 would need council’s approval,” said Garhart. “We had two cases like that where costs for the improvements would exceed the allotted amount. Council approved the additional funds and the people we’re just ecstatic because these people couldn’t come up with the money to make the difference. These cases, however, would be strictly on a case-by-case basis.”
Once all work is completed, the property then would again be inspected by another lead-certified contractor.
“It’s a wonderful program and it has already done a lot for this community,” said Garhart. “Historically, the borough has always used Community Development Block Grant money for housing improvements, but strayed away from that in the mid-90s because of the need for that money in other areas.
“We’re now going back to the program and making Tyrone not only a better place to live, but a safer one too.”
Families or homeowners wishing to apply for the program are encouraged to contact Tyrone borough at 684-1330.
