A new housing program is targeting residences in the eastern part of Greene County.

The Highway 144 Corridor Housing Initiative is an organization led by community members in Grand Junction, Paton, Rippey and Dana. CHI Treasurer Derek Kennedy tells Raccoon Valley Radio they are offering two different grants to either improve the exterior of a home or tear down and clearing of properties, with the overall goal of increasing the attractiveness of the property and the neighborhood.

“The grants will cover up to 50-percent of the total project cost, with a maximum grant amount of $1,000 per home. And with that it can include rentals or your primary residence and so each person that owns a home can apply for one of these once a year.”

Kennedy points out funding for their organization is from the participating city councils, on a per capita basis with automatic funds they receive from Grow Greene County Gaming Corporation, along with the Greene County Board of Supervisors with their three year pledge of Louis Dreyfus funds, Greene County Development Corporation, People’s Banks in Rippey and Grand Junction, Rolling Hills Bank in Rippey, Home State Bank in Jefferson, and the Community Bank in Paton.

Kennedy notes that applications must be submitted by April 15th with the announcement of recipients on May 1st. He talks about the timeline they have outlined for projects that receive these housing grants.

“They need to be completed on or before November 30th that way you can request your payment anytime between now and December 12th. We’d like to get everything completed year in and year out. To receive the funds though, the project must be completed and inspected by a (Highway) 144 CHI member with the photos and inspection to make sure that the funds have gone to proper projects.”

To apply, the project must be within the city limits of the participating communities, include “before” photos, along with an estimated cost for labor and materials, and an expected completion deadline. Applications are available at the communities banks, libraries, community centers, and any of the Highway 144 CHI board members. 

Highway 144 CHI Board members:

Mary Weaver (Rippey) President

Annie Smith and Jake Bohnet (Paton)

Alan Robinson and Kate Nesse (Grand Junction)

Derek Kennedy (Dana)