It’ll take up to two years to rehabilitate homes in center Ottawa in the grant program that’s providing up to $500,000 for it. Connie Buchanan with the North Central Illinois Council of Governments says each owner could get up to $50,000 in work paid for through the program. People with low to moderate incomes can apply now and wait for their homes to be ranked.
The grant is a forgivable loan. If the owner keeps living in the home for five years, he or she doesn’t have to pay it pack. Buchanan says there are exceptions, because some people will move because of hardships. Or if they die, the state won’t go after any of the money from the estate.
NCICG started taking applications last night at a meeting at Ottawa City Hall. About 45 people were in the audience.
Project area map for the Ottawa housing rehab grant