CDBG Monies Deferred to General Housing Rehab Fund

Photo and Story by Rick Hiduk

At the regular meeting of the Wyoming County Commissioners on Tuesday morning, Wyoming County Redevelopment Authority (WCRA) grants administrator Lisa Hahn announced that only one application had been received by the Sept. 12 deadline for next year’s Community Block Development Grants (CDBG). Hahn also responded to concerns about the timing of the application process, as representatives from several municipalities and non-profit organizations have questioned what they saw as a very narrow window of opportunity.

Hahn related that the WCRA can never predict when or how much money might be given to the county by the state, even though the grants and applications are designed to be an annual process.

You can apply for a grant anytime,” Hahn stated, noting that when and if funds become available, WCRA will contact municipalities and organizations that have expressed and established a need for infrastructure projects, demolition of bighted properties, and programs to benefit low-to-medium income residents and guide them through the application process.

Hahn held a public meeting with the commissioners on Sept. 6 at which time the Sept. 12 deadline was announced. Though the availability of the grants and applications had been posted in the “legal new” section of local newspaper in the summer, the announcement was missed by many groups that could have taken advantage of the funds.

Deborah Courville, board member of The Oldest House in Laceyville, noted that the grant cycle would not have benefited her organization this year anyway, as work on the building’s foundation must begin before winter, and funding cannot be used retroactively. Courville said that the Oldest House would try to get ahead of the game next year to solicit CBDG funds for additional improvements to sills and other structural elements.

Coincidentally, the Commissioners had a County Room Tax check in the amount of $3,000 made out for the Oldest House, which was presented to Courville.

That money is meant to be used for historical preservation,” said Commissioner Judy Mead, who reccused herself from voting to approve the contribution as she is on the board of the Endless Mountains Visitors Bureau, which administers Room Tax Funds.

Courville said the check puts the Oldest House much closer to its $113,000 goal for much needed foundation repairs.

The WCRA did receive one timely application from the Noxen Public Library, requesting $2,100 for some new books and computers. Hahn said the library was found to be ineligible, however, because Noxen Township falls below the economic threshold set by the state for CBDG grants.

A majority (51 percent) of people assisted by a grant must be considered low- to middle income, and Noxen comes in at 41 percent. Only Meshoppen Township, Meshoppen Borough, and Nicholson Borough are pre-approved as low- to middle-income municipalities.

It’s a very small library,” Hahn said of the Noxen request. “I’m sure they could use the money.” Some funding might still be available to the library if a somewhat complicated CBDG survey would determine that at least 51 percent of library users, as opposed to the community as a whole, were to be considered low- to middle-income.

According to a press release distributed by Hahn, any community development projects throughout Wyoming County which may be considered ineligible for the annual grants nor fit in the proper time line, may still apply for funding under the Competitive CDBG Program. Hahn and other WCRA staff members will assist with the application process.

That said, she asked the commissioners to approval a deferral of an expected $223,743 allocation to the WCRA general housing rehabilitation fund. WCRA maintains a waiting list for the program, which utilized more than $183,000 in grants in 2016. Proposed eligible homes for the new grant cycle have not yet been identified.

On the other hand, at least 21 known property owners with flood damaged properties who have been waiting for buy-outs since 2011 are encouraged to attend a special meeting at the Wyoming County EMA Building at 6:30 pm on Thursday, Sept. 29 to learn about the county’s intention to pursue grant funding through the CDBG-DR (Disaster Recovery) Program.

The county will work with the PA Department of Economic Development, PEMA, and Wyoming County EMA to coordinate acquisition and demolition of some more properties.

The commissioners are understandably eager to put the last round of buyouts behind them, having taken heat from residents – many from Eaton Township – who have accused them of dragging their heals for the past five years.

It’s not an easy job,” said Commissioner Tom Henry. “We worked hard on it, and we got beat up.”

When a disaster hits, it’s the local government that is supposed to take care of it,” Commissioner Ron Williams added, in reference to boroughs and townships.

The commissioners have repeatedly vowed to avoid jumping into the FEMA/PEMA fray should another significant disaster occur.

 

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