Columbia Heights' 10-year plan

Last update: October 25, 2007 - 8:33 PM

Housing Resource Center: The Greater Metropolitan Housing Corp. (GMHC) runs this program across the metro area and provides construction management services, home improvement loans and help in other housing-related areas. Over 10 years, Columbia Heights will spend about $168,100 on the program and will serve about 4,500 homeowners.

Home Rehabilitation Incentive Program: Homeowners can receive rebates of up to $3,000 on home rehabilitation costs. Over 10 years, the city will spend about $505,690 on the program and assist 440 homeowners.

Single-Family Home Replacement Program: The city partners with the GMHC to replace dilapidated homes. The city expects to spend about $250,000 over 10 years to replace 20 to 40 homes.

Single-Family Home Deferred Loan Program: Homeowners who want to do structural improvements can apply for no- or low-interest deferred loans. The loan is repaid when the home is sold or changes title. The city expects to spend about $306,426 in the next 10 years on between 20 and 30 loans.

Housing Maintenance Capacity Building Program: In order to maintain the plan beyond the initial 10 years, the city will start a fund through a $50,000 annual levy that will cost the owner of a $200,000 home about $6 a year for 10 years. The levy has to be approved every year and, if it is, the fund should have about $455,931 after 10 years and can be used to continue housing maintenance.

For more information on these programs, contact City Hall at 763-706-3600 or the GMHC at 612-339-0601.

LORA PABST