Matamoras gets HOME grant

Applications still being accepted for residential repairs

By TOM KANE

MATAMORAS, PA - The Borough of Matamoras was the only municipality in Pike County to apply for and receive a HOME grant from the state.

The grant program’s purpose is to support housing rehabilitation, and it is administered through the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED). Matamoras received $343,600 from the state and $150,000 from the county, for a total of $493,600.

“This reservoir of funds from the county is to be used only to support affordable housing,” said Christine Obser of the Pike County Human Development Office, which is managing the project.

In order for a municipality to be eligible to receive such funding, it must contain a certain percentage of residents who have low incomes. The competitive program funding requires three basic criteria: a limited socio-economic group that will benefit from the funds, additional funds from the county for housing and significant observable results from the use of the funds.

“Matamoras is eligible for this program due to the fact that it is a small, heavily developed municipality that has experienced fiscal problems over the years, due to the built-up nature of the community and the prevalence of older homes,” Obser said.

Forty-three residences will receive grants of up to $25,000. Four of the homes have already begun repairs and the county is moving forward to obtain eligibility documentation on the remaining applications.

The funds will pay for such things as insulation, interior piping, deficient energy systems, new roofs, installation of new bathrooms as well as the replacement of water and sewer lines that connect to borough utilities.

“We’re still taking applications,” said Nancy Buchanan, borough secretary. There is no time limitation in the operation of the program, she said. Anyone wishing to be included in the program should call the borough office at 570/491-2771.