WAYNE ALLEN

PDT Staff Writer

Scioto County has received $500,000 in Community Housing Improvement Program (CHIP) funding from the Ohio Department of Development (ODOD).

The commissioners were informed of the 2012 award in a letter from ODOD dated August 20th.

Included in the funding is $40,000 for Scioto County Habitat For Humanity to construct two homes.

“We are grateful to the Scioto County Commissioners for including us in their CHIP application. This funding will allow us bring the dream of home ownership to two families in Scioto County,” said Judy Meeker, Co-President of Scioto County Habitat For Humanity. “We will now start the process of looking for locations for the homes and qualified families.”

Also included in the funding is $125,000 for home repairs. It’s anticipated this funding will help at least 12 households in the county make necessary upgrades to their homes.

There has been $235,000 allocated to help six, low income home buyers purchase or upgrade houses. In order to qualify the home buyers must have some private financing.

A total of $40,000 has been allocated to help one low income homeowner upgrade their home to state standards.

According to the county commissioners, the county has been receiving CHIP funding since the early 90s.

The county is working to finish projects from the last round of CHIP funding two years ago.

According to Tracy Shearer, Community Development Director for the city of Portsmouth, the city has also received $500,000 in CHIP funding.

“This funding will be used for community housing improvement program,” Shearer said. “The money will be used for things such as, the rehabilitation and renovations of homes.”

For more information contact Connie Spencer, Deputy Clerk at the Scioto County Commissions office at 740-355-8356.

Wayne Allen may be reached at 740-353-3101, ext. 208, or wallen@heartlandpublications.com.