Money freed up for home repairs

SANDUSKY — Buying homes or making repairs to them can get costly. Luckily for Sandusky residents, a popular program returns to help offset those expenses while simultaneously upgrading the city's housing stock with ambitions of increasing its local population. For a seventh consecutive year, officials designated local tax dollars specifically toward the local government's housing development and beautification program. Starting today, and for 2022, people can claim a share of $400,000 intended for very specific purposes, like substantial redevelopment, exterior repairs and home purchase assistance. This $400,000 represents a figure that's more than double the amount, $180,000, committed to last year's program. "Being forced with a reduced budget in 2021 (brought on by COVID-19-related reasons), it was important to keep the program going for the residents of Sandusky," said Debi Eversole, the city housing development specialist overseeing this initiative. In 2021, the city provided financial assistance to about 50 property owners through this grant program. And since Sandusky's housing improvement program began in 2016, officials have committed about $2.6 million, through public funds, to enhance 833 city homes. This year's amount should bolster an additional 100 properties, Eversole noted. Eversole then underscored the program's overall significance, heavily stressed in Sandusky's bicentennial, or master, plan. "We feel that this program is a valuable tool in creating a livable and vibrant community," Eversole said. "It is important to take pride in where you live. Often this assistance is the determining factor whether a homeowner is able to make improvements to their property. Neighborhood stabilization and beautification can also attract visitors to want to live here." Note: Anyone who receives a grant and completes work outlined in a specific application doesn't have to repay the city. In essence, it's "free" money made available through Sandusky's budget, supported by area residents, ratepayers and others. Grant uses There are three ways people can apply for money through Sandusky's housing development and beautification program: 1. Substantial redevelopment, which includes new development and eligible rehabilitation projects exceeding $20,000 2. Exterior repairs, which includes any improvements made to a home visible from the street 3. Home purchase assistance, which includes anyone purchasing a home in the city for owner-occupancy "The program was designed, in part, to enhance the neighborhood's appeal for current and prospective residents," Eversole said. "With the two improvement facets of the program, we are seeing new development projects, remediation of code compliance violations and vacant dwellings being revitalized with this program. This, in turn, may attract visitors to want to purchase property and live in our city." How to apply? Those interested in the program's details, and who want money, can visit cityofsandusky.com/housing to access the 2022 application. Opening up today, the program goes off a first-come, first-served basis. Applicants should note the following: • People can then complete the necessary forms online and then sent them in, along with supporting documentation, to development@ci.sandusky.oh.us. Email submissions will have proof of delivery timestamped due to ongoing post office issues. • People can also mail a submission to: — Housing Development and Beautification Program — Community Development — 240 Columbus Ave. — Sandusky, OH 44870 • Applications will also be available in the lobby at City Hall, 240 Columbus Ave., however, there will not be a person at the desk. If you have questions after you have read the guidelines, use the contact information within the guidelines and application. • "If you are applying for improvements, cost estimates and/or a budget for the improvements must be submitted with your application. Without this, we cannot determine your level and amount of grant assistance," according to a city statement. • "If you are applying for home purchase assistance, a signed purchase agreement, loan estimate and an owner-occupancy affidavit must be submitted with your application. Without this, we cannot determine your amount of grant assistance," the statement read. "This year, we have incentivized our home purchase assistance program and set aside a budget for anyone wishing to own their own home in Sandusky," Eversole said. "While we hope to help first-time homeowners, this is not a requirement," she added. "We encourage any property owner wishing to make improvements to their property to apply for the program. There are minimal restrictions to the program. We intend to add a review element that focuses on historic preservation of homes built within a certain period of time."