The Montague-based Franklin County Regional Housing & Redevelopment Authority is looking for Heath and Hawley residents to use for zero-interest loans for dwelling enchancment initiatives.

Due to funding from a Group Improvement Block Grant (CDBG) awarded by the U.S. Division of Housing and City Improvement, the housing authority affords zero-interest loans to qualifying householders for development initiatives that convey their properties as much as code. Brian McHugh, the housing authority’s director of neighborhood improvement, stated the purpose is to assist 16 initiatives, however solely eight have been funded to date — seven in Heath and one in Hawley.

This system began in March 2021 with $876,713 and $352,778 is left over from the CDBG grant. Whereas this explicit funding can solely be utilized in Heath and Hawley, the housing authority offers the same program to 24 cities all through Franklin County.

The Franklin County Regional Housing & Redevelopment Authority helps Franklin County municipalities finance and implement reasonably priced housing and neighborhood improvement packages. It has greater than 40 years of expertise making use of for CDBGs. CDBGs can be utilized for social service packages, housing help and improvement, industrial rehabilitation, public facilities or infrastructure initiatives.

Talking earlier than the Heath Selectboard this week, McHugh stated the housing authority can search an extension on the grant, however the state solely administers three-month extensions. The grant is on monitor to run out in September.

“We don’t wish to get to the deadline and ship the cash again to the state,” he stated.

A household of 4 that makes lower than $75,000 a yr qualifies for a zero-interest mortgage. Every applicant can obtain as much as $35,000, and might apply for a waiver to obtain bigger loans if the home wants lead paint remediation, accessibility modification, asbestos elimination, historic preservation and septic restore.

McHugh stated the housing authority has despatched out letters to residents and marketed within the newspaper looking for mortgage candidates, however few have materialized.

“It’s a authorities program so there may be quite a lot of documentation,” he famous. “Generally folks don’t wish to undergo all that.”

Heath Selectboard member Susan Energetic advised utilizing the additional funding to construct accessibility ramps on public buildings in Heath. Whereas McHugh stated that is potential, the housing authority would wish to carry a public listening to earlier than altering using the CDBG.

For extra info on making use of for a no-interest mortgage by the Franklin County Regional Housing & Redevelopment Authority, go to fcrhra.org/housing-rehabilitation-program.