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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1976 06-09 Maplewood favors federal subsidy for housing upkeep THE REVIEW Maplewood favors federal subsidy for housing upkeep /urx b7, 1971` The Maplewood City Council has gone strong objections to such federal on record approving a request for federal programs, saying "I've never seen a funds to be given to local communities for bigger waste of money. I don't mind a home improvement grant and loan giving money to people who are in tough program. shape but...."He indicated that money The council, at its May 27 meeting, given homeowners in such programs okayed the idea for the program,which is would be put into repairs for houses which being initiated locally by the Metropolitan would not be kept up afterwards,or that Council. persons who did not need the funds would The program could mean up to$80,000 take advantage of the program. in federal grants coming to Maplewood,if City manager Michael Miller said, the Metro Council application to the "The alternative is to let houses go Housing and Urban Development is ap- downhill.The idea is to have people take proved. advantage of loans,"not giving them total Under the program,local home owners grants. who meet specific criteria could be Murdock retorted, "This helps the eligible for grants of up to 20 percent of unambitious,the lazy.That's the people the market value of needed repairs,with who get grants.And I'll document it." a maximum of$1,000 to be awarded. A Metro Council representative at the Residents also might be eligible for session explained the program was "interest reduction grants,"which would designed as an alternative to some help reduce the effective interest rate on a already-existing programs, and ex- home improvement loan to "an ac- plained that the proposal is now "a ceptable level for the homeowner,"ac- preliminary design.The first thing we'll cording to the Metropolitan Council. try to do is get more specific on who's A "loan guarantee pool," or "direct eligible and how to administer the funds." loan pool" available for high risk- Miller also noted the program would be homeowners as well as other kinds of conducted on a one-year trial basis"to incentive funds are included in the Metro see if it works." Council's program proposal. The council approved a resolution At the Maplewood council session, asking to be included in the metropolitan councilman Burton Murdock voiced proposal by a 5-0 vote.