Category: Housing

Housing rehabilitation grants were recently awarded to Mount Carmel Township and Borough.

Both the Township and Borough are receiving $300,000 for no-cost home repairs for eligible residents. Qualified residents may receive up to $50,000 for housing rehabilitation expenses. Mount Carmel Township residents may qualify for an additional $15,000 to address lead-based paint hazard reduction.

The funds are from Pennsylvania’s Department of Community and Economic Development’s HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME.) HOME is a federally funded program that provides municipalities with grant and loan assistance to expand and preserve the supply of decent and affordable housing for low- and very low-income Pennsylvanians.

“Pennsylvanians deserve safe, up-to-code, and accessible spaces to call home,” said Gov. Tom Wolf in the press release announcing the funding. “The HOME funding will help provide access to these spaces to individuals across the commonwealth…”

Teri Provost, Chief of SEDA-COG’s Community Services Division, spoke of the value of the program.

“We are passionate about empowering our communities to have the best, most affordable housing possible by rehabilitating existing homes at no cost to eligible homeowners,” Provost said. “When we partner with communities on these efforts, it helps the homeowner, it maintains the communities’ tax base, and it increases property values.”

Eligible repairs include structural, roofing, plumbing, electrical, heating/furnace, window replacement, radon and lead-based paint mitigation, and energy-related improvements. Modifications for mobility-impaired residents are also eligible within this program. Homeowners must maintain home residency over a five-year period from the date of signing in order for this service to be received at no cost.

Qualifications:

• Must live in the Township or Borough limits of Mount Carmel;

• Own the home or have Life Rights to live in it;

• Meet income qualifications based on household size;

• Be current on local taxes and municipal utility bills;

• Provide proof of homeowner’s insurance;

• Live in the home an additional five years.

Additional requirements may apply. 

Annual Gross Income Limits:

Family size: 1 – $40,850; 2 – $46,650; 3 – $52,500; 4 – $58,300; 5 – $63,000; 6 – $67,650; 7 – $72,300; 8 – $77,000.

SEDA-COG oversees the entire process for the homeowner.

“We make the project easy on the homeowner by managing it from start to finish, including obtaining the contractor,” Provost said.

Interested residents may call SEDA-COG’s call Stacy Anderson at 570-524-4491 Ext. 7215.

The Borough of Milton had received a $500,000 housing rehabilitation grant and interested residents who live within the town limits should apply now to get on the waiting list for the no-cost repairs.

Qualified residents may receive up to $65,000 each for home repairs.

Interested residents may call SEDA-COG’s call Stacy Anderson at 570-524-4491 Ext. 7215.

Eligible repairs include structural, roofing, plumbing, electrical, heating/furnace, window replacement, radon and lead-based paint mitigation, and energy-related improvements. Modifications for mobility-impaired residents are also eligible within this program. Homeowners must maintain home residency over a five-year period from the date of signing in order for this service to be received at no cost.

“SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG) manages the entire process for the homeowner,” said Teri Provost, Chief of the agency’s Community Services Division.

Provost continued, “Not only does the homeowner get necessary home repairs, but they also get the benefit of going through the process hassle-free as we manage the logistics from start to finish.”

Milton Borough Manager, Jessie Novinger, says, “this program has been very helpful to our residents allowing for useful and needed improvements and we encourage all interested residents to inquire with SEDA-COG.”

Qualifications:

• Must live in the Borough limits of Milton, not just a Milton address.

• Own the home or have Life Rights to live in it.

• Meet income qualifications based on household size.

• Be current on local taxes and municipal utility bills.

• Provide proof of homeowner’s insurance.

• If located in a Flood Zone, provide proof of flood insurance.

• Live in the home an additional five years.

Additional requirements may apply.  

Annual Gross Income Limits:

Family size: 1 – $40,850; 2 – $46,650; 3 – $52,500; 4 – $58,300; 5 – $63,000; 6 – $67,650; 7 – $72,300; 8 – $77,000.

On Monday, June 20, 2022, from 8-9:30 a.m., SEDA Council of Governments (SEDA-COG) and the Union County Housing Authority (UCHA) are partnering to host a contractor breakfast. This event will be held at the East Buffalo Township Building, 586 Fairground Rd, Lewisburg, PA 17837. Registration is required for this event. To register, contact SEDA-COG’s Danielle Rippon at 570-524-4491 or drippon@seda-cog.org.

Since 1989, SEDA-COG’s Housing Rehabilitation Program has invested $32 million in 9 counties and over 1,000 homes. The Program rehabilitates homes for limited-income families on behalf of our partnering communities (the Boroughs of Berwick, Jersey Shore, Milton, Mount Carmel and South Williamsport. The Counties of Juniata, Montour, Snyder, Sullivan, and Perry. The Cities of Lock Haven, Shamokin and Sunbury, the Town of Bloomsburg, and the Township of Mount Carmel.)

UCHA has been administering their Residential Rehabilitation Program since 1983. As of April 2022, 1054, homes throughout Union County have been rehabilitated. The purpose of the program is to allow people to remain in their homes and community. It also helps the community by preventing the deterioration of properties and blight. This program and other programs and services offered by UCHA aim to meet the mission of providing safe, decent, sanitary, affordable housing to income eligible residents and to provide related community services within Union County.

“This breakfast will provide an amazing opportunity for local contractors to learn the minimum requirements to get pre-approved for the various work opportunities provided by SEDA-COG, UCHA, and our client communities,” said Teri Provost, director of SEDA-COG’s Housing Rehabilitation program.

Sharon Leon, Executive Director of Union County Housing Authority, shared her thoughts, “UCHA is excited to work collaboratively with SEDA-COG to host this breakfast. We know there are quality contractors in this area, and our hope is to engage these contractors to work with our programs.

SEDA-COG is a community and economic development agency in Lewisburg and is one of seven Local Development Districts in Pennsylvania. SEDA-COG enhances the quality of life and economic advantage for residents and businesses in the 11 central Pennsylvania counties through its vital partnerships and initiatives.

The Township of Mount Carmel anticipates receiving a $300,000 housing rehabilitation grant and interested residents should apply now to get on the waiting list for the no-cost repairs.

Qualified residents may receive up to $50,000 for housing rehabilitation expenses and an additional $15,000 if lead-based paint hazard reduction is required.

Interested residents may call SEDA-COG’s call Stacy Anderson at 570-524-4491 Ext. 7215.

Eligible repairs include structural, roofing, plumbing, electrical, heating/furnace, window replacement, radon and lead-based paint mitigation, and energy-related improvements. Modifications for mobility-impaired residents are also eligible within this program. Homeowners must maintain home residency over a five-year period from the date of signing in order for this service to be received at no cost.

“SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG) manages the entire process for the homeowner,” said Teri Provost, Director of the agency’s Housing Rehabilitation program.

Provost continued, “Not only does the homeowner get necessary home repairs, but they also get the benefit of going through the process hassle-free as we manage the logistics from start to finish.”

Qualifications:
• Must live in the Township limits of Mount Carmel;
• Own the home or have Life Rights to live in it;
• Meet income qualifications based on household size;
• Be current on local taxes and municipal utility bills;
• Provide proof of homeowner’s insurance;
• Live in the home an additional five years.

Additional requirements may apply.

Annual Gross Income Limits until 6/14/22:
Family size: 1 – $36,800; 2 – $42,050; 3 – $47,300; 4 – $52,550; 5 – $56,800; 6 – $61,000; 7 – $65,200; 8 – $69,400.

Annual Gross Income Limits as of 6/15/22:
Family size: 1 – $40,850; 2 – $46,650; 3 – $52,500; 4 – $58,300; 5 – $63,000; 6 – $67,650; 7 – $72,300; 8 – $77,000.