STREATOR – 10 Single-family homes in an area east of the Vermillion River in Streator will be eligible for a housing rehabilitation grant. Streator’s city council invited residents on Wednesday to learn more about the $550,000 Community Development Block Grant that the North Central Illinois Council of Governments is assisting the community and several other local communities with.
Connie Buchanan of NCICG says the project area is based on a low to moderate-income census. An area that is chosen as opposed to townwide, is said to have a higher impact on the community. Buchanan explained that if houses were randomly chosen across town it wouldn’t make as big a difference as it does in a multi-block area.
Residents in the designated area will complete a survey that will determine if they qualify for up to $50,000 in home improvements. In addition, homeowners with low incomes can qualify for more money through the Tri-County Opportunities Council.
Buchanan says not everybody may need up to $50,000 in improvements and if that’s the case more homes will have the opportunity at rehabilitation.
Officials plan to submit all the paperwork for the application by the end of July and are expected to hear if the area is a recipient by wintertime. City Manager Dave Plyman closed the public hearing on an encouraging note, stating that if the city is not accepted for the grant this year, they will try again the following year.
