Madrid wants more public awareness of $400,000 grant’s advantage
MADRID - Town officials aren’t satisfied that enough residents are aware of what a $400,000 federal grant can do to improve their housing.
The town board vowed Wednesday to turn up the volume on making residents aware of the federal Community Development Block grant that the St. Lawrence County Planning Office will submit in April on the town’s behalf.
Supervisor Joseph A. Finnegan said about 25 to 30 homeowners have inquired about seeing whether their home improvements qualify for the needs and income-based program.
There must be more, he said.
“We’re hoping to have more than that,” Mr. Finnegan said. “I would hope so.”
Mr. Finnegan said that the town has “in excess of 100” homeowners who would qualify for the grant.
The grant is being handled for the town by county planning office grant administrator Heidi J. Ames.
Which is fine with Mr. Finnegan, who said it allows to town to have “hands off” in the process.
“They’ve (the county planners) done a lot of them,” he said. “They’re good at them.”
Once the application has been submitted, the town expects to hear good news next fall. The grant money will be administered by the North Country Regional Economic Development Council.
Town officials say that substandard housing accounts for about 40 percent of Madrid’s housing stock.
Other projects have been discussed for the grant, but town officials are most keen on improving housing.
The housing information and other data are included in a telephone book-thick community development plan that was approved by the board in December. The plan was prepared by the Albany engineering firm the Leberge Group at a cost to the town of $40,000.
The plan conducted a “windshield” survey of 669 homes in the town. Fifty-two percent of the homes - 348 - were deemed standard. The substandard rating was given to 265 homes.
Residents who want to be included in the grant’s housing improvement program are asked to call the town clerk’s office at 322-5760.
From there, their names will be sent to the planning office and interviews will be set up.
Public hearings on the grant will be held before the application is submitted.
