Some 14 homes in Grafton, N.D., will receive major repairs in the next couple of years through a federal program designed to improve housing conditions for low-income rural residents.
USDA Rural Development announced today grants totaling $135,000, including $44,000 for Grafton and $91,000 for the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa in Rolette County.
"Providing safe housing to rural residents is a key to maintaining stable and vibrant communities," Jasper Schneider, USDA Rural Development state director said. "The grants will help homeowners make necessary updates to their properties to improve living conditions. These repairs include anything from replacing a roof to repairing sewer systems to installing energy efficient technology."
Grafton will have about $140,000 for its program, according to Janet Dvorak, housing coordinator for the Grafton-based Red River Regional Council, which administers the program. The funding includes a $50,000 federal Community Development Block Grant.
The city of Grafton also will contribute. It has committed $100,000 to housing rehabilitation. However, not all of that money will be used for this project, according to Dvorak.
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"We're so amazed by the city of Grafton," Dvorak said. "They did a survey, saw a need and decided to put that money in."
Through USDA Rural Development's Housing Preservation Grants program, funds are provided to local communities and agencies, such as town or county governments, public agencies, federally recognized Indian tribes, and non-profit and faith-based and community organizations.
Grants may be used to make general repairs, such as installing or improving plumbing or providing or enhancing access to people with disabilities. Funds also may be used to weatherize and make homes more energy-efficient.
Dvorak said the regional council will continue to look for other grants to complete the 14 houses that already have been accepted into the program in Grafton, as well as others on a waiting list, to possibly extend the program for another year.
"I don't know that $140,000 will take care of all 14 houses," she said, adding that the cost averages about $14,000 per house.
Work on the project probably will not begin until spring.
Grafton, with a population of about 4,000, is the third city in northeastern North Dakota to participate in the program over the past three years.
Drayton, N.D., improved 19 low-income houses with a total of $298,000. The funding included a $160,000 federal home loan grant, nearly $86,000 in from CDBG, $50,000 from USDA Rural Development and $2,500 from the city of Drayton.
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In Thompson, nine houses have been completed and another three have been approved for the program, which amounts to about $187,000. The funding includes nearly $134,000 coming from CDBG, $50,000 from USDA Rural Development and $3,000 from the city of Thompson.
Two other Walsh County communities -- Park River and Lankin -- recently have inquired about the program.
"We get calls all the time for these programs," Dvorak said. "These are grant programs and there aren't a lot of them around. There are a lot of loans out there, but not a lot of grants."
Reach Bonham at (701) 780-1110; (800) 477-6572, ext. 110; or send email to kbonham@gfherald.com .
