HOLLIDAYSBURG — Blair County has stopped taking applications for the Whole-Home Repairs Program so it can address applications already submitted for the popular program.

Grants coordinator Trina Illig told commissioners Tuesday that the county had 121 inquiries, resulting in 92 applications so far, from lower-income property owners interested in the financial help.

The state Department of Community and Economic Development, using federal dollars from the American Rescue Plan Act, assigned $1.13 million to Blair County for its Whole-Home Repairs Program.

Under that program, property owners can qualify for grants to make their properties more habitable and safer. Grants also can be used to improve energy and water issues and accessibility.

While the program permits grants as large as $50,000, Illig told commissioners that some counties are reducing the available amount to a maximum of $25,000 because of the high interest.

That could be an option for Blair County in light of 92 applications, she said.

But in the meantime, Illig said that some of the applicants are being directed into other eligible housing improvement programs, such as the county’s program to reduce lead-based paint hazards.

Some others, she said, could qualify for money under the Community Development Block Grant program.

Of the 92 applications filed with the county, Illig said that 49 came from Altoona property owners. So, efforts are developing to work with city leaders and city organizations that may have some additional money available to help those applicants.

Commissioner Bruce Erb acknowledged that the county has a lot of older housing stock in need of repairs and improvements.

“In many cases, the homeowners are not in a position to take those on,” Erb said.

Commissioner Amy Webster said she sees this kind of program as being very helpful for local residents.

Illig said the applications have been under review as they arrived, but with more work to do, she recommended pausing the application process and working on what’s been submitted. Erb, Webster and fellow commissioner Laura Burke offered no objection.

Illig also mentioned that the Whole-Home Repairs Program also requires the county to set up a workforce development program creating training opportunities associated with housing industry jobs.

Illig said that $100,000 was budgeted for that effort, which will likely be handled by a subcontractor who comes up with a proposal to meet the program’s requirements.

Illig also mentioned that because the $1.13 million became available from ARPA, the county has to have commitments in place by Dec. 31, 2024, for how the money will be spent. The county has until Dec. 31, 2026, to spend the allocation, she said.

Mirror Staff Writer Kay Stephens is at 814-946-7456.