Community building blocks

Nine Wayne County projects seek funds

By TOM KANE

HONESDALE, PA - It’s that time of year when Wayne County communities make their request to the federal Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) program.

The program’s purpose is to fund activities that benefit communities that are comprised of at least 51 percent low- and moderate-income families. Such activities are demolition of abandoned buildings, rehabilitation of housing and commercial buildings, construction of public facilities and certain improvements, the repair of roads, the maintenance of community centers and other similar projects. The funds originate in the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and come through the state.

“Only one community in the county (Honesdale) qualifies through the 2000 Census,” said Jackie Young, of the Wayne County Redevelopment Authority Executive Director. “The rest must perform a survey of family incomes in the area where they want to spend the funding. For example, if they want to use funds to repair a road, they must survey all the homes along that road. If 51 percent are classified as low- or moderate-income families, the project qualifies.”

It is not yet known what amount of money will be allocated to the county. When it is, sometime in February, the county commissioners must decide which of the nine applications they received will be funded and how much of their request they will fund.

“Communities will most likely not receive the total request they have made,” Young said. Since 1982, the county has been allocated a total of $3,625,127 through this program, she said.

2009 Block Grant Applications

• Damascus Township for water and septic hook up $52,000

• Hawley Boro for the paving of Fern Street $58,200

• South Canaan to correct deficiencies noted on bridge inspections $48,000

• Clinton for paving Maple Hill Road & Terrel Road $54,000

• Friendship House for a child social skills program $16,400

• Habitat for Humanity for water & sewer hook up $12,000

• Pleasant Mount Community Center for plumbing to meet ADA requirements $10,446

• Palmyra for paving North Street $26,758

• Wayne County Court House to meet ADA requirements $23,527

Total $301,331