New Program Will Help Some in Huntingburg With Home Repairs and Rehabilitation

BY: Matt Crane / Dubois County Free Press 

HUNTINGBURG -- A new program designed to assist homeowners with rehabilitating their homes is being explored in Huntingburg.

The city plans on applying for owner-occupied housing rehabilitation funds through the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority. These funds can be used to assist homeowners who fall within the low and moderate income brackets with funding to fix their homes. The funds can be used for rehabilitative efforts including siding, windows, roof work, electrical repairs, HVAC repairs and other maintenance-based and safety repairs.

The funds are provided at no cost to the homeowners.

The homes must be within the corporate limits of the City of Huntingburg and must be in the homeowner’s name (contract sales are not eligible).

Funding of up to $350,000 is available to assist homeowners and the city plans on directing 20 percent of those funds to assist disabled homeowners. According to the facilitators of the program, that amount would help cover about 14 houses, depending on the cost of the repairs needed for each home. $25,000 is the maximum amount available for each home that qualifies.

Homeowner applicants for the program are needed before the city can apply for the grant.

Single-wide trailers do not qualify and homes in 100-year floodplain areas do not qualify. Homeowners must have insurance on the homes and property taxes must be current to be considered.

The Huntingburg Common Council approved entering into a contract not to exceed $5,000 with the Southern Indiana Development Commission to facilitate the program. The award is given on a points-based system depending on factors like the number of applicants, groups impacted (e.g. disabled, seniors 62 and older, or veterans) and matching funding from the city. The council was told that although not necessary to be awarded the grant, providing some matching funds increases the likelihood the city will receive the grant for homeowners. Those funds would also go towards home repairs.

The Southern Indiana Development Commission will accept applications on a first-come-first-serve basis at the Huntingburg Teen Outback, 507 N. Main Street, on Thursday, November 15 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Tuesday, November 20 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Applicants need to provide a copy of the recorded deed, proof of property insurance, 2017 State and Federal tax returns if applicable and income statement from Social Security and/or SSI if applicable.