POUGHKEEPSIE – A program to make funding available to assist eligible senior citizens make repairs to their homes in the City of Poughkeepsie is beginning.
The funding is designed to help seniors live safely and independently in their homes, revitalize neighborhoods and strengthen the local economy.
The city has set aside nearly $200,000 in grants and forgivable loans to eliminate health and safety hazards in qualified homes, along with pre-approved preventative maintenance and emergency to both interior and exterior areas.
Total project costs per household cannot exceed $7,500 and funds will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.
The initial application period will start this summer and will be administered by Habitat for Humanity of Dutchess County.
“We know the difficulty many seniors face in maintaining their homes,” said Mayor Marc Nelson. “This initiative will provide another way for seniors to pay for repairs that are necessary but are sometimes put off because seniors don’t have the financial means to fix them.”
“The common council and administration are taking a collaborative approach to address a critically important issue for our seniors,” said Council Chairwoman Natasha Brown. “These repairs will make it possible for eligible seniors to address deferred maintenance issues that have potentially been a source of stress and anxiety for some time.
Applicants must be 62 or older at the time of application and need to be named on the deed as an owner of the property. All taxes on the residence must be up to date, and the city reserves the right to deny assistance to those with serious and/or repeated code violations.
For additional information about the program, call the development office at 845-451-4007.
