Perkins providing grants for home repairs

PERKINS TWP. — Perkins Township officials brought back a home improvement program to assist residents with costly repairs. Now in its second year, officials reintroduced what's known as the housing rehabilitation and property improvement program. The program "intends to award a total of $100,000 in grant monies to help township residents who are low- to moderately low-income with exterior repairs and property improvements that they otherwise would be unable to undertake," according to a township statement. The application process begins Monday for those who live in the Homeville and Searsville neighborhoods. Then, later on in May, it'll open to all township residents so long as they qualify based on their household income levels. "Applicants can apply for up to $10,000 each with minimal, $50 to $100, contributions based on the estimated cost of the project," it read. "While the primary focus is on improving the housing stock, property values and neighborhood aesthetics of two township neighborhoods, Searsville and Homeville, all residents meeting income eligibility thresholds are encouraged to apply." Officials invite the community to attend a kickoff information session about this program. It's scheduled for 5-7 p.m. Thursday, April 13 at Perkins Township Hall, 2610 Columbus Ave., Sandusky. If people can't attend, then they can: • Download an application from the township website, perkinstownship.com • Pick them up at the community development office at 2610 Columbus Ave. • Call 419-609-1435 to have an application mailed to them • Email tmyers@perkinstownship.com to have an application mailed to them Questions answered Angie Byington, the township's community development director, answered some additional questions about this initiative: • The success: "Last year, the township assisted 13 households with exterior repairs and improvements totaling $97,000. Repairs included but were not limited to roofs, painting and siding, stairs, railings and windows." • The funds: "The program is funded through the Perkins Township general fund." • The access: "Funds will be awarded to homeowners with complete applications and an attached construction estimate on a first-come, first-served basis starting with the Searsville and Homeville neighborhoods. Starting May 20, funds may be awarded to all Perkins Township homeowners with a complete application and estimate as they are submitted and verified until funding is no longer available." • The process: "The maximum grant amount is $10,000. Homeowners must complete an application and provide a third-party construction estimate. Income eligibility is determined based on the number of persons in the family. Owners must fall into the category of either low, very low or extremely low income." • The applications: "Applications are currently available at perkinstownship.com. We will start accepting applications from income-eligible homeowners of the Searsville and Homeville neighborhoods on Monday. Starting May 20, applications will be accepted from income-eligible homeowners townshipwide."