Thornton is launching a new loan program that provides between $5,000 and $20,000 worth of household repairs to low-income residents,
The is funded through federally designated community development block grants. It’s just one of the new housing and urban development projects that the city is working on to put the annual grant dollars to work over the next five years.
The new program includes a 0 percent interest loan that homeowners have 10 years to pay back, as well as counseling services provided by Brothers Redevelopment, a local nonprofit that does the actual construction work.
“It’s for major repairs that people run into,” said Nicole Jeffers, Thornton’s neighborhood services manager. “Residents work directly with (U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development) certified counselors who are trained to walk somebody though either a mortgage or a home loan. It’s like having a guide.”
The city has received an average of $600,000 in community development block grants every year since it became eligible for direct funding in 2010.
Now that it’s time for a new five-year plan, the city asked residents to identify their ideas for how to spend the community development block grants into 2020.
Jeffers said some of the high-priority projects included supporting new affordable housing, providing financial assistance for people who are buying a home, flood and drainage improvements, and improved services for seniors, the disabled, and the homeless.
Most community development block grants will be concentrated in south Thornton, based on income statistics.
“More than 51 percent of the people who live in south Thornton meet that low-income requirement,” Jeffers said. “So we can actually do something for the entire area, like a community center or building out the senior center.”
The city is in the process of accepting 2015 grant applications now from organizations and nonprofits all over the city and Adams County. Jeffers said council will review and consider approving proposed projects in December.
“There’s a great need for low-income housing across the metro area,” said Jennifer Petty, grants and procurement manager for the Adams County Housing Authority. “We’re looking at a couple new construction projects in Thornton for low-income housing.”
The Adams County Housing Authority is a usual recipient of community development block grants. The agency this month is completing a $13 million rehabilitation of 200 apartments in south Thornton — with the help of the community development grants.
Nonprofits like the Senior Hub in Federal Heights have faithfully applied for community development block grants from Thornton since it began its own program.
Renee Dees, development and community relations director for the Senior Hub, said she will probably apply for a portion of Thornton’s community development block grants because the Senior Hub offers programs that serve Thornton residents.
“Our Meals on Wheels and home care services extend in Thornton and all over Adams County,” Dees said. “These (grants) are a huge support for our human service projects for low-income clients.”
Megan Mitchell: 303-954-2650, mmitchell@denverpost.com or twitter.com/Mmitchelldp
