The City of Manhattan announces that it has funds available to assist eligible homeowners within City Limits through the Community Development Block Grant Program for the 2021 Program Year. 

The City began offering a Housing Rehabilitation Program funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in 2010. The Program provides funding that can be used to assist low- and moderate-income homeowners make critical repairs and accessibility modifications to their homes. LMI households are those that earn 80% or less than the Area Median Income.  For a family of 4 in 2021, that rate is $61,900.  Under HUD CDBG program, the City of Manhattan has applied more than $1.84 million to assist over 100 homeowners with rehabilitation projects through the Housing Rehabilitation Program.
 
The Community Development Department administers the Housing Rehabilitation Program which promotes decent, safe, and sanitary housing, and brings homes into compliance with city codes. This is critical to the physical and emotional health of the residents of the City and assists in stabilizing neighborhoods by maintaining the stock of suitable housing, improving accessibility, and addressing critical housing repair needs for eligible homeowners.
 
The Housing Rehabilitation Program is subject to the requirements of the HUD CDBG program, and local building codes.  The Program helps eligible individuals and families make necessary repairs and modifications to their owner-occupied homes to meet local building codes, HUD’s Section 8 Housing Quality Standards, and the General Specifications for the City of Manhattan Housing Rehabilitation Program. The Housing Rehabilitation Program may test for Radon, Lead-based paint, and asbestos when evaluating homeowner requested repairs.  These are addressed as part of the project write-up when an application to the Program is approved.
 
Examples of past rehabilitation the City has assisted homeowners make include roof repair/replacement, electrical repairs, plumbing repairs, waterline/sewer line repairs, HVAC replacement, window and door replacement, lead paint stabilization and/or mitigation, Asbestos removal, sump pump installation, radon removal system installation, exterior drainage improvements and foundation stabilization.  Examples of accessibility improvements include replacing fixtures for ADA compliance, installing ramps, widening doors, and replacing tubs with walk-in/roll-in shower units.  Emergency improvements include anything of an urgent nature, for example, replacing a failed HVAC unit in the middle of extreme hot or cold events, or water and sewer line failure.
 
The Housing Rehabilitation program provides funding for comprehensive (whole house) repairs costing over $5,000 and up to $25,000.  Emergency and accessibility repairs are project specific improvements (such as replacing a failed HVAC unit or accessibility modifications) that cost between $1,000 and $5,000.  Mobile home rehabilitation is similar to Emergency and Accessibility but has a lifetime limit of $4,000.  Grants for minor repairs less than $1,000 are also available.
 
“The purpose of having 3 types of rehabilitation projects is to help as many homeowners as possible, either with Major repairs for issues that develop over time, emergency situations, or with accessibility modifications that help them to remain in their homes”, says Christina L’Ecuyer, Community Development Block Grant Administrator.  

Shaun Linenberger, Housing Rehabilitation Inspector, who oversee the rehabilitation projects, adds, “It is especially useful for life and safety repairs such as addressing code issues, radon mitigation, and correcting issues in the home such as trip hazards and fire or electrical hazards.” 
 
Details about the program are on the City’s website 

To apply, please contact Shaun Linenberger, Housing Rehabilitation Inspector at Shaun.Linenberger@cityofmhk.com, or by phone at 785 587-2431, or download an application from the City’s website.  Paper applications may also be picked up at City Hall, North Central Flint Hills Area Agency On Aging, Flint Hills Breadbasket, the Manhattan Library, or the Riley County Seniors’ Service Center. 

–from City of Manhattan