Marshall County extends application deadline for Owner-Occupied Home Rehabilitation Grant Program

Marshall County Commissioners have extended the application deadline for the second round of the Owner-Occupied Housing Rehabilitation Program, giving eligible homeowners additional time to apply for assistance with critical home repairs.

The extension was approved at the Commissioners' May 18th meeting, where two public hearings were held. The first hearing formally closed out the initial round of the program, which was made possible through the county's Stellar Designation. That first round successfully rehabilitated 15 homes across the county, with each homeowner receiving up to $25,000 in assistance. The second hearing addressed the upcoming round, which had originally carried a May 15th application deadline.

For the second round, the county is seeking a $500,000 grant from the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA), with the goal of helping between 20 and 25 homeowners. Marshall County will provide a required local match of $84,000, funded through $54,000 in cash on hand and $30,000 in in-kind services from the County Building Inspector, who will write project specifications and conduct required inspections.

OCRA has defined five eligible categories of work under the grant: replacement of water heaters, HVAC systems, and roofs; electrical upgrades that do not meet current code; and ADA accessibility improvements from the exterior to the threshold of the home. Shannon McLeod of Baker Tilly, who is administering the grant on behalf of the county, believes the funding will be sufficient to assist 20 to 25 homeowners given the defined scope of work.

As of the original May 15th deadline, only 16 applications had been received, prompting the commissioners to extend the deadline to allow more residents the opportunity to apply. A grant award decision is expected in early September.

Residents interested in applying can contact most Township Trustees, who have access to the application. The Marshall County Neighborhood Center and Older Adult Services also carry application materials. The 13-page application is available online at www.co.marshall.in.us.