Kim Ecklund, R-At Giant and Finance Committee chairwoman, factors to complicated wording in a proposal to assist senior residents repair their properties as Tony Dolce, R-Ward 2 and council president; Crystal Surdyk, metropolis improvement director, Marie Carrubba, D-Ward 4 and Housing Committee chairwoman; and Ryan Thompson, metropolis comptroller, look on.
P-J picture by John Whittaker
A proposal to make use of federal stimulus cash to assist senior residents repair their properties was common even earlier than its formal approval by the Metropolis Council.
Council members have mentioned the $500,000 Senior Citizen Dwelling Enchancment Incentive Program and a $500,000 Dwelling Enchancment Incentive Program. The 2 packages are being proposed as a tandem to achieve senior residents throughout a spread of earnings ranges. Finance Committee members authorized the packages with few issues on Monday. This system is proposed by means of the town assessor’s workplace.
“Persons are already asking, Crystal, about can they name and apply now though we haven’t voted on it but,” mentioned Kim Ecklund, R-At Giant and Finance Committee chairwoman, addressing Crystal Surdyk, metropolis improvement director. “Can they get on an inventory?”
The senior citizen program works in two methods. Householders who’re both at present receiving, or would qualify to obtain the Aged Exemption, might obtain as much as a dollar-for-dollar rebate examine for both all repairs as much as $10,000 or to 90% of the entire price of dwelling repairs as much as $10,000 relying on which a part of this system they qualify to make use of. Householders who’ve lived of their dwelling for a minimum of a yr and have complete earnings, together with social safety, lower than or equal to $22,000 for county taxes or $19,000 for metropolis and faculty taxes might obtain the dollar-for-dollar rebate examine as much as $10,000.
Householders who’re both at present receiving or would qualify to obtain the Enhanced STAR Exemption or Verify Program can carry out as much as $10,000 in documented repairs or enhancements and obtain a rebate examine for 90% of the entire price. There have been questions on how a lot of a rebate senior residents would approve. Clarification is required, Ecklund mentioned, although council members approve of the concept.
“These questions nonetheless exist, although we’re in favor of the decision,” Ecklund mentioned. “We need to get some readability with the town assessor on a few of the verbiage for the rebate quantity and that clarification earlier than we truly vote. Apart from that it handed Finance.”
Ecklund mentioned the phrasing is essential as a result of it might imply the distinction between seniors having to spend cash earlier than doing dwelling enchancment work. Clearing up the language might open this system to extra senior residents fairly than limiting it to those that have the monetary means to do dwelling enchancment work.
“It’s complicated, so I wished it cleared up earlier than we go it,” Ecklund mentioned. “I don’t assume individuals have a problem with it, we simply need to be sure the verbiage is evident. I feel we have to get that fastened a minimum of. If somebody is hurting for funds they don’t have $4,500 to pay up entrance. That sort of defeats the aim.”
