Eighteen homeowners in Rippey, Paton and Grand Junction were recently awarded matching grants for exterior improvements by the 144 Corridor Housing Initiative (CHI 144). A total of $16,826 in grant awards were made for a wide range of improvements, including new roofing and gutters, tree removal, landscaping, and new decks, doors and windows,
The awards were made by a review committee of the 144 CHI board of directors. Grants were awarded with a 50 percent match up to a maximum of $1,000 per applicant. “All but two of the grants funded were for the maximum award amount,” said Alan Robinson, 144 CHI board president. “We had one grant funded for $568 for a deck and landscaping project of $1,136 and another deck project of $516 was awarded $258 as the 50 percent match. All others came in asking for the full $1,000.”
The total amount awarded was $16,826 for improvement projects totaling $114,117. “We are very pleased with these amounts,” said Robinson. “This is our fourth year of awarding housing improvement grants and the interest level remains high.”
Robinson added, “over the four years, our 144 CHI grants have resulted in improvements to the housing stock in Dana, Paton, Rippey and Grant Junction totaling $577,235. We thank our investors, our city governments, and our community supporters for continuing to make this investment in eastern Greene County.” Robinson added that 144 CHI is still accepting applications through July 15 for property clearing projects (demolition of abandoned houses and buildings), which is the second phase of a three-part objective for the organization—Improving, Clearing and Building. Robinson encourages interested property owners to call him at 515-370-5029 or Derek Kennedy, 144 CHI treasurer, at 515-738-2312.
