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25/11/2023Home Repair Contractors

Akron’s home repair program faces delays and questions from residents

AKRON, Ohio — Several communities across Ohio received huge chunks of cash after the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act, aimed at helping people recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, was passed in 2021. Akron received $145 million and decided to allocate $20 million towards a new program to fix up older homes in sections of the city.

We don’t just report the initial story—we follow through to its conclusion. Read and watch our previous reporting on this story below and see more stories that we’ve followed through on here.

While some residents are reaping the plan’s benefits,

Contractors needed for Westmoreland home repair program

Westmoreland County has the money and low-income homeowners lined up for a house repair program.

But officials can’t find anyone to do the work.

“We’ve put out 400 emails and sent out 325 direct mailings and have gotten zero response,” said Redevelopment Authority Executive Director Brian Lawrence of the county’s efforts to hire contractors for the program. “This is a critical program. We have $1.6 million to spend within the next year.”

The Whole Home Repair program will make fixes for homeowners in need. Officials said the program is designed to prevent residences from becoming blighted and targeted for demolition.

18/10/2023Home Repair Contractors

Chester County launches Whole-Home Repairs program

Where does the money for Whole-Home Repairs Come from?

Funding for the initiative came by way of the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development’s allocation of American Rescue Plan Act money. State Sen. Nikil Saval introduced the Whole-Home Repairs program in 2022 as part of the state budget.

Philadelphia and its collar counties were slated to receive a combined $40 million.

While $50 million of Whole-Home Repairs funding is stuck in limbo due to the need for “additional legislative language,” Chester County’s allocation was not impacted. The county received its entire funding package.

The Chester County Department of Community

06/10/2023Home Repair Contractors

Detroit seniors, disabled residents benefit from roof repair program

Detroit — Heloyse Moore has lived in the same Detroit home since 1962. When her roof began leaking in December, she feared she wouldn’t be able to stay.

Moore, nearly 93 years old, is among the first of 2,000 residents to have a new roof installed by the city’s Renew Detroit program.

The home repair program was established in 2021. After a community feedback process, the Detroit City Council initially voted in July 2022 to appropriate $30 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds for home repair to seniors, low-income and disabled community members.

It was initially expected to aid

Flint council must decide if $5M is enough for ARPA home repair program

FLINT, MI — Flint Mayor Sheldon Neeley’s plan for spending $5 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds on home repairs for residents could be approved in the next 24 hours despite lingering objections from some residents and City Council members.

The council took no action on the program when it met last week but could give it both initial and final approval when it meets on Monday, July 24, potentially ending months of debate over how much of the city’s remaining ARPA funds should be dedicated to the city’s housing stock and whether a citizen advisory committee involved in