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.

On Wednesday, the Town Council vowed 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.

Mr. Finnegan said the town has “in excess of 100” homeowners who would qualify for the grant.

Town officials say that substandard housing accounts for about 40 percent of Madrid’s housing stock.

Residents interested in the grant’s housing-improvement program are asked to call the town clerk’s office at 322-5760.