Locating your Housing Rehabilitation Program |
Summary:
Finding your housing rehabilitation program is not difficult. For starters, a call or visit to your local town hall, city hall or county administration can provide direction to your Community Development Block Grant funded program. Or, you can search for your local contact here.
Most of these programs can be found in two (2) forms:
Traditionally found within the administration building of the jurisdiction. Usually will be located under Economic Development, Community Development or Neighborhood Services Department. They have a director who would be responsible for the programs and reports to the Mayor, City or County Manager. Will have full-time staff members who will work in-house and out in the field.
These operations are usually sanctioned by the Administration of a given jurisdiction. Consultants offices are sometimes located outside of the jurisdiction that they serve. Tend to administer more than one program for more than one jurisdiction. The staff tends to favor more field personnel concerning housing rehabilitation than in-house.
Receives funds from multiple sources other than CDBG grantees. Specifically targets certain types of housing rehabilitation (i.e. targeted neighborhood revitalization, fixed grant programs) Limit on funds available for rehabilitation work. Relative small staffs because of low operating costs provided.
In addition to administering the local jurisdiction tenant-based housing assistance programs, many Housing Authorities have Housing Rehabilitation Programs. Usually found in areas that does not have a significant amount of potential units to be fixed under a stand alone program.
Each of these operations have benefits and drawbacks in serving their constituents. Once found, understanding how your local office is set up and how it functions, is very important in participating in a housing rehabilitation program.