SAGINAW , Mich. – Time is ticking for communities to allocate its COVID-19 relief dollars given to them by the federal government.
Saginaw City Council approved a home repair program.
It started in 2022 with furnaces, then phase two was roofs and finally phase three will be windows.
The city used $7.8 million in ARPA funding.
The application for phase three of the program opens on Saturday.
People who qualify and live in Saginaw can go to city hall and complete the form.
It’s the final project in this home rehabilitation funding.
“These are all you know, home repairs that are really hard to save for a lot of people you know, are struggling to make ends meet,” says Annie Boensch, the Mayor Pro-Tem in Saginaw.
Boensch says with this home rehabilitation program they have been able to see these dollars actually help the community.
“This really was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for us to have these funds and we’re hoping that we made a big impact on as you know, hundreds of people who have received the roofs and the furnaces and now the windows,” she says.
Saginaw received $52 million from the American Rescue Plan Act.
The deadline to have all the money allocated in December 31.
Then all the money has to be spent by the end of 2026.
The city has a little more than a million dollars to allocate.
Boensch says it was important to use the dollars for home repairs because it’s what people needed.
“Hopefully it gives them the ability to stay in their home for another 10 or 20 years because they don’t have to worry about mold because their roof leaks or, you know, not being able to heat their house or not being safe because their windows aren’t secure,” says Boensch.
Applications will be accepted on Saturday at city hall inside council chambers from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
If people can’t make it out Saturday there’s time from April 8 through April 12 to fill out an application, you are asked to call 989-577-0184 or email: [email protected].
It has to be done in person.
“There’s going to be someone there who’s going to walk you through and help you understand what’s going on and you know, and how to get through the process,” says Boensch.
You will have to qualify for the new windows.
Boensch tells me they are asking everyone to bring an ID and also a Consumers Energy bill.
If you have questions call 989-577-0184.
Here’s the list of criteria for the Saginaw Home Rehabilitation Program are as follows:
- Must be a City of Saginaw resident
- Must prove they are the owner and resident for at least one year of a single-family dwelling –
- identification and copy of Consumers Energy bill are required.
- Must fall below ARPA Household Income Limit –Documentation of income for each adult in the
- home is required
- Must be current on all property taxes and water fees or have a completed Michigan Homeowner
- Assistance Fund (MIHAF) application number
- Residents who have received a roof or furnace through the ARPA Home Rehabilitation Program do NOT qualify.
- **Due to limited funds, selection will be based on lowest income and/or need