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Housing Repair Funds Available
The Cities of Eagle Bend and Clarissa recently received notice from the MN Dept. of Employment and Economic Development that their application for home rehabilitation funding was approved.
Last summer a mailing about the program was sent to all owner-occupied households in Eagle Bend and Clarissa. Those who submitted their letters of interest were put on a waiting list, and they will be contacted by mail between May 29 and June 1.
The $470,800 in grant funding will allow for the repair of about 20 homes—ten in Eagle Bend and ten in Clarissa. Applications will be processed in the order in which they are received, so it is important for those who are interested to get their application forms mailed in as soon as possible. Over 100 households have expressed interest in participating, and only twenty homes can be repaired.
To qualify for the repair program, Eagle Bend and Clarissa residents must:
- Live within the corporate limits of Clarissa or Eagle Bend;
- Own their home, either free from debt, through a mortgage, or a recorded contract for deed;
- Have gross annual income (including Social Security, wages, and all other sources) below the following limits:
Household Size Annual Income
1 $32,950
2 37,700
3 42,400
4 47,100
5 50,850
6 54,650
Income limits are subject to periodic revision by HUD
The following types of repairs may be made through the program: repairs that make a home more safe, energy efficient, and/or accessible. Eligible activities may include the repair/replacement of:
- Defective plumbing, electrical, or heating systems
- Cracked or damaged foundations
- Roofing, windows, and doors
- Damaged walls, ceilings, floors
- Deteriorated siding, porches, steps
- Ramps and bathroom accessibility improvements
- Removal of lead paint hazards
After a homeowner’s application is received, the project staff will work with the homeowner to get appropriate income and property verifications. If it is determined that both the property and the owner are eligible for the program, a home inspection will be scheduled. The inspector will meet with the homeowner to determine which repairs are necessary. If the home was built prior to 1978, a test will be done to determine if lead paint hazards are present in the home.
The inspector will write bid specifications describing all of the work to be done. The homeowner will provide the bid specs to at least two contractors and request them to bid the job. Contractors must be licensed by the State of Minnesota and insured. If lead paint hazards are present in the home, contractors working on that job must be certified by the MN Dept. of Health to work with lead paint hazards.
Contractor bids will be reviewed by the inspector and homeowner. A contractor will be chosen, and the job will be awarded. The inspector will work closely with the homeowner to ensure quality work and timeliness. When the contractor’s work is finished (to the homeowner’s and the inspector’s satisfaction), the contractor will be paid with grant funds. The City of Eagle Bend will issue a check directly to the contractor upon satisfactory completion of the work.
It is expected that the home repair program will extent through the fall of 2010. Please contact the program administrator, Kathy Sletto, at 320-762-8428 with any questions.
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