City Council considering ARPA funds for code repair help

Money would likely match grant for The Mill as other option

City Council is considering whether to allocate $250,000 of Altoona's remaining American Rescue Plan Act money to create a program to help correct code violations for homeowners who can't afford to do it.

The money is among the last $800,000 of the city's ARPA funding not firmly committed and would likely become a match for a grant to create co-working office space at The Mill, if it doesn't go for code repairs, according to information provided at a council meeting Monday.

If council decides to fund the code program, it would function alongside a recently established emergency roof repair initiative, a soon-to-start Whole-Home Repairs Program and a long-established whole-house repair program, officials said.

The three new home repair initiatives reflect a recent emphasis by council on rehabilitating, rather than demolishing, deteriorated homes -- along with a proposed plan by the Redevelopment Authority to convey properties in need of rehabilitation to developers, while encouraging new house construction.

The city can't afford to keep tearing down buildings, council members have said.

The Department of Codes & Inspections has encountered many potential recipients for the proposed code violation repair program in code court, Department of Codes & Inspection Director Rebecca Brown has said.

Many would make the required repairs if they could afford it, she said.

Such residents "mean well," said Councilman Dave Butterbaugh.

Some council members want the proposed code violation program to work as a revolving loan fund, some as a grant program and some as a lien program -- so the city could recoup the money after properties are eventually sold, according to Councilman Jesse Ickes.

"We need to be bold to help these folks," Ickes said.

The city has identified lots of potential recipients for the roof program, which has run out of the initial $50,000 in Community Development Block Grant money that funded it, officials said.

The city will be applying for more CDBG money this year, said Community Development Director Diana White.

Roofs are critical for maintenance, said Councilman Ron Beatty.

If they're not repaired quickly, the houses underneath them will be in the demolition program within a couple of years, said Councilman Dave Ellis.

The city expects to receive about $275,000 of the $1.1 million in ARPA money that Blair County has received for the Whole-Home Repairs Program, according to White and City Manager Omar Strohm.

There are uncertainties in the mechanics of distributing the money, but it seems likely that the city will be responsible for "pre-qualifying" applicants.

Recipients' income can't exceed 80% of area median income.

All the ARPA projects must be under contract by the end of 2024, according to federal rules.

Mirror Staff Writer William Kibler is at 814-949-7038.