DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) - Home repairs can be expensive, and the longer things go unfixed it could become unsafe. A $15 million dollar grant hopes to ease some of that burden for homeowners.
"There are so many people that are less fortunate on fixed incomed. This is a way of being able to reach out for them to maintain their homes," said Al Lawson, Co-Director of the home improvement program for Northeast Community Fund.
Macon County gets $600 thousand dollars from this grant, and the City of Decatur gets $400 thousand dollars. These funds will serve those in need of non-cosmetic, necessary repairs. The Northeast Community Fund will disburse the funds depending on safety and accessibility repairs. Northeast used a lottery system for qualifying applicants.
"The program itself geared towards roofing and accessibility that would include wheelchair ramps or even walk in showers for those cannot safely use a regular shower," Phil Clary, Co-Director said.
Out of those 75 tickets, Lawson plans to serve about 25 homeowners. These repairs, Lawson said, are about more than just fixing a home.
"It's a trickle-down effect. The neighborhood starts to want to clean up," Lawson added.
For those who do not qualify for the grant assistance, Northeast has a small home improvement fun with more than 1,000 applicants.
This fund can help repair a furnace or fix plumbing. To see which county was awarded a grant, check the housing authority list.
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