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Lyons Town Clerk/Treasurer Kim Flynn provided the details on the grant -- which could fund home improvements if awarded.
"Basically since we put in for it twice and have gotten it twice, we really need more applicants that haven't applied before," Flynn explained.
Guidelines require a total of 51 percent of the applicants to be new and a minimum of 20 applications.
"Given those two factors I'm still looking for two or three new applicants and maybe even a few applicants who have (applied) before," she added.
Applicants must be low-income, live in town and own their home. Most mobile homes are not acceptable.
"The only thing we also suggest ... even if you think you may be a little over (the income) ... go ahead and try and if you don't qualify the grant writer will let us know," Flynn added.
All information provided by applicants will remain confidential, and Social Security numbers are not required.
"Basically it (application) asks how many people are in the home and to list them ... it also asks that you sign and fill out a form that gives permission to get your pay information from your employer," Flynn said. "If you receive Social Security then you will need an award letter."
Other requirements include banking information and proof of home insurance and property tax payments.
It's a win-win for the town as well as its residents.
"If we can help homeowners to better their home they'll want to remain here -- which helps the town out because we want the town to grow. We don't want it to die off. It also helps them have a better standard of living," Flynn explained.
"These are the people who vote and keep us in office, if they believe we're doing a good job. It's actually our responsibility to help them as much as possible."
Homes could receive improvements such as new roofing, siding, carpeting, heating and/or cooling, among other updates.
About 30 homes have qualified with past grants.
Applications are available at 600 W. Broad Street in Lyons or by calling Flynn at 659-2521.
The town is asking that all applications be turned in by the end of March.
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thats bullcrap that moble homes dont qualify!!!
Sounds like their saying that people that live in mobile homes aren't excepted into their society.
Sounds to me like they are pretty much saying if you want to stay in their community and fit in you need to put yourself in debt and buy a house... but you cannot blame the community fully, it would appear as though the grant writers are the ones deciding who should have the money, not the town... I think that if the home is stationary then it should qualify.. b/c we all know that you can take the axel off of a mobile home, then it is no longer mobile...
USDA Rural Development has a 504 Repair and Grant program and mobile homes qualify if owner owns the mobile home and ground it sits on.
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: Low interest home improvement loans and grants, designed for very low income individuals (50% or less of county median income).
TYPE OF ASSISTANCE: Loan funds can be used for making basic repairs, installing essential features, or to remove health and safety hazards. Grant funds can only be used to remove health and safety hazards.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS: Must be a rural resident or living in a town of up to 20,000 population, have a reasonable credit history, own inadequate(but repairable) housing, have a very-low adjusted income, and unable to obtain credit elsewhere. To qualify for grant funds, must be 62 years or older and be unable to repay a low interest loan.
FUND AVAILABILITY AND MAXIMUM AMOUNTS: Funding is based upon an annual appropriation. The maximum loan limit is $20,000. The lifetime grant maximum is $7,500.
INTEREST RATE/TERM: Interest rate is 1% fixed rate financed up to up to 20 years.
COLLATERAL: A mortgage is taken when the amount is $7,500 or more.
CREDIT REQUIREMENTS: Reasonable credit history.
CONTACT: Rural Development Bloomington Office at 812-334-4318 x 4