Posted 12:56 am Tuesday, February 07, 2012
Grant Could Offer Help With Low-Income Housing Repair
By ADAM RUSSELL
Staff Writer
Low-income Smith County residents with houses in need of repair may be eligible for federal grant funding to repair dilapidated structures or build new homes.
Staff Writer
Low-income Smith County residents with houses in need of repair may be eligible for federal grant funding to repair dilapidated structures or build new homes.
On Monday, the Smith County Commissioners Court approved a resolution to apply for up to $500,000 in the U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development grant funding. The unanimous vote came after debate between commissioners about the role of county government and after assurances were made the program would not cost taxpayers beyond administrative and advertising costs.
Mark Taylor, senior vice president director of operations at governmental consultant firm Traylor and Associates, said the program is designed to help families and individuals living below the area median family income. He said most beneficiaries of the program are elderly residents living on fixed incomes unable to keep their homes in livable condition.
“The only option they have is through this type of program,” he said. “These are people who are choosing between paying for food and medication, so oftentimes home repairs are neglected.”
The program can provide up to $80,000 for home replacement with a site built house; up to $65,000 for a manufactured housing unit and up to $30,000 for rehabilitating an existing structure. To qualify, a person must own their home; live inside Smith County and outside a flood plain; their property taxes must be current; the home must be the primary residence and the household income must be within HUD guidelines.
County Judge Joel Baker and Commissioners Jeff Warr, Terry Phillips, Cary Nix and JoAnn Hampton questioned Taylor about the program's cost to taxpayers. He said funding is on a reimbursement basis, and that the county would have to front the money. However, he said federal reimbursements for the program typically occur within 14 days.
Warr said there is obviously a need in blighted and low-income areas but that he is “not a big advocate of HUD projects.” He said bureaucracy eats up much of the grant money set aside to help residents and that the program is not a core role for county government.
“It sounds cold but I think most people now want us to stay focused on core governmental issues, things I am required to do,” he said. “It is a state and federal project but when the money dries up I don't want the taxpayers to be locked into anything.”
Taylor said the county could expect costs associated with administering the grant, monitoring approved funding and advertising the program to find possible benefactors. A majority of court members said they would not support major taxpayer investment in the program.
He said it is not uncommon for county officials to be hesitant of placing taxpayer dollars in such programs.
A majority of court members said as long as the county acts as an intermediary, who identifies needs and applies federal and state funding, they will support the program.
Commissioner Hampton said she agrees the program is not a core responsibility but that there are residents on fixed incomes with no means to repair dilapidated homes.
“That's a fundamental disagreement between me and other court members,” she said. “I don't think (Smith County) taxpayers should foot the bill but if there is money out there that will go somewhere regardless then the county should make the effort to get the money to help residents here.”
The grants are on a first-come-first-served basis, Taylor said. The county should learn if it qualified for the grant dollars within two or three months. Once the grant is secured the county will seek individuals who qualify.
“There is a great need to help our low-income and elderly residents in Smith County,” Commissioner Hampton said.
County Judge Joel Baker and Commissioners Jeff Warr, Terry Phillips, Cary Nix and JoAnn Hampton questioned Taylor about the program's cost to taxpayers. He said funding is on a reimbursement basis, and that the county would have to front the money. However, he said federal reimbursements for the program typically occur within 14 days.
Warr said there is obviously a need in blighted and low-income areas but that he is “not a big advocate of HUD projects.” He said bureaucracy eats up much of the grant money set aside to help residents and that the program is not a core role for county government.
“It sounds cold but I think most people now want us to stay focused on core governmental issues, things I am required to do,” he said. “It is a state and federal project but when the money dries up I don't want the taxpayers to be locked into anything.”
Taylor said the county could expect costs associated with administering the grant, monitoring approved funding and advertising the program to find possible benefactors. A majority of court members said they would not support major taxpayer investment in the program.
He said it is not uncommon for county officials to be hesitant of placing taxpayer dollars in such programs.
A majority of court members said as long as the county acts as an intermediary, who identifies needs and applies federal and state funding, they will support the program.
Commissioner Hampton said she agrees the program is not a core responsibility but that there are residents on fixed incomes with no means to repair dilapidated homes.
“That's a fundamental disagreement between me and other court members,” she said. “I don't think (Smith County) taxpayers should foot the bill but if there is money out there that will go somewhere regardless then the county should make the effort to get the money to help residents here.”
The grants are on a first-come-first-served basis, Taylor said. The county should learn if it qualified for the grant dollars within two or three months. Once the grant is secured the county will seek individuals who qualify.
“There is a great need to help our low-income and elderly residents in Smith County,” Commissioner Hampton said.
