Livingston Applying for Grant To Improve Homes In Need Of Repairs

A THDA grant application to improve a dilapidated home in Livingston was approved Monday night.

Amanda Mainord is Community Development Consultant for Grassroots Planning and Consulting and gave the presentation. Mainord said it has been ten years since Livingston was awarded one of these grants.

“They normally make these announcements around Memorial Day, first of June,” Mainord said. “Once they make the announcement, we will begin our process. We can start advertising at any time. We’ll sign the contractor on July 1.”

Mainord said that rule changes now allow for homes to be torn down and rebuilt and work on mobile homes is allowed. She said applications will go through Livingston City Hall and applicant needs will be scored and ranked before in-person assessments are conducted.

“The applications, once they’re picked up and returned by the homeowner, there’s several documents that have to be included with the application,” Mainord said. “Proof of ownership, proof of paid taxes, income, all of that kind of good stuff.”

Mainord said this program is geared towards low-income, elderly, disabled residents of Livingston in need.

“We proceed down the list, going out and doing home visits,” Mainord said. “Just to see what kind of shape the house is in and make sure they do meet those qualifications, not that it’s just on paper.”

Mainord said the grant is eligible for up to $500,000 and would be at no cost to Livingston. She said that UCHRA also has a waiting list of residents who are in need of home improvements.