As a 13-year homeowner, La’Shaundra Benion has long been waiting for a new roof for her ranch-style home in Pontiac.
And after she recently received $25,000 in home repairs, it included that new roof and even windows through the Pontiac Home Repair Program. The program is using $3 million from the American Rescue Plan Act to help Pontiac homeowners complete major repair projects.
“I was looking to get my driveway done, my roof, the windows and some electrical work,” said Benion, 44, adding that she needed plumbing work in her kitchen. “They did all of the windows in my house, the roof and some minor electrical work.”
Pontiac received $37.7 million from ARPA and allocated more than $3 million for the home repair program. The program allows up to $25,000 per household in home repairs including plumbing, HVAC, roof repair and waterproofing for residents earning less than 80% of the area median income, adjusted for family size.
Thirty-eight homes in Pontiac have had repair services through the program, including 14 homes under construction. In addition to the four completed, including Benion’s, 20 other homes have received approval to start renovations, according to a news release.
Benion’s ranch had a roof that was rotting and in need of new shingles. Her windows were leaking and she had gutters missing on several parts of her home.
“I was so grateful because before I found out about the program I had tried to get an estimate for my roof. When they brought that estimate back … it was like over $10,000 and my roof needed to be done really bad,” said Benion.
Benion is one of four homeowners who had renovations and improvements completed this year.
“That alone relieved a lot of stress,” said Benion. “The house looks a whole lot better due to the windows … I’m able to open these windows now. That I’m also grateful for. It makes you proud to come up to your house and it looks nice.”
Jane Morris of Pontiac also got a new roof as well as attic installation and chimney repairs. She had leaks in her living room, fireplace and chimney. Her roof was missing shingles and the second floor of her home was cold and drafty because it lacked insulation.
“I thank God that they fixed my roof. It looks amazing. I already have a really nice house but it really looks amazing with the brand new roof. They sealed up the little cracks … around my chimney, that also stopped leaks from coming in as well,” Morris said.
Morris, 58, bought her bungalow during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and has lived in Pontiac for more than 30 years.
She said her house is more insulated and her new chimney cap is keeping leaves and other debris out. She invested $14,000 herself to install a walk-in shower in her bathroom.
“I wish that they get the opportunity … and chance to help many more people in the city of Pontiac because they need it,” Morris said. “If this program goes off like they were speaking about it … I think it would be an amazing success story for the city of Pontiac. Everybody else city got success stories and our city does not have any success stories.”
A large number of residents in the program are elderly or live in a single- or several-occupant household, all of which have had wear and tear on their homes, the release said.
“We’ve made a concerted effort to focus our federal American Rescue Plan dollars on programming that will directly improve our residents’ lives, and this is an example of that,” Mayor Tom Greimel said.
“It’s a great opportunity for residents who have struggled to make needed home improvements to improve their homes and improve their qualify of life, but also to reduce blight and increase property value for themselves and for their neighbors,” Greimel said.
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