The city of St. Joseph will submitting an application to the Department of Employment and Economic Development requesting funding to fix up homes. Central Minnesota Housing Partnership has been asked by the city to compile and submit the application for the Small Cities Development Program, which is due Feb. 28.
Meetings to answer questions and gather names of interested St. Joseph City homeowners are scheduled from 5-6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 7 in the City Council Chambers at St. Joseph City Hall. The target area includes owner-occupied homes south of County Road 75 between 1st Avenue and 5th Avenue, to but not including Baker Street.
Funding is being requested to assist homeowners in a target neighborhood south of County Road 75. The Small Cities Development Program can provide 0-percent deferred forgivable loans to assist homeowners in completing needed repairs to include: new roofing, siding, windows and doors, as well as mechanical and electrical updates. CMHP Program Manager, Laurie Ziebell stated, “This is a rehab program, not a remodeling opportunity. But if your home needs updates and repairs to address safety, energy efficiency and health issues, it’s a great program. Many cities are applying for a limited amount of rehab funding. It’s imperative to a competitive application that the city has a strong showing of interested homeowners.” Awards will be announced in June 2013.
If you are in the target area, but are unable to attend the meeting, please contact Ziebell at (320) 258-0673 or stop by city hall for information and a letter-of-interest form.
