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PARKERSBURG --The Wood County Commission on Monday unanimously approved the plans of the Parkersburg-Wood County HOME Consortium.
Drew Thomas of the City of Parkersburg appeared before the commission to discuss the program, which the city administers but serves the whole county, and seek its approval of the proposed budget for $590,496 it receives from the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development and generated income.
"(The commission) approved the budget and how we are going to spend the money on these programs," Thomas said.
The program provides money for home repairs and a home buyer program for lower-income individuals, among others.
As approved, the disbursement is: Community Housing Development Organization, $100,000; Tenant Based Rental Assistance Program, $150,000; Down-Payment Assistance Program, $100,000; Owner-Occupied Rehab Loan Program, $90,000; Low Income Housing Tax Credit Project, $100,000; and General Administration, $50,000.
Over the last year, the program helped 18 people with rental assistance, Thomas said. Others also were helped with down payment assistance, with Thomas noting "it has gotten a lot of interest lately."
Thomas said they have been having trouble finding rental apartments for people.
"There have been plenty of people who have applied for it," he said. "There's not many places to put them."
Recent housing studies in the area point to a low supply of available inventory in the area.
"It is a matter of allocating this to make the best benefit we can," Thomas said.
Commission President Blair Couch said putting people in a place to live makes it easier for them to access the available services in the area.
Brett Dunlap can be reached at bdunlap@newsandsentinel.com