Words by Smiley Team
These days, it’s a struggle to find a home. Home prices are skyrocketing, up 18.7% since 2021 according to Forbes. And even as the market surges millions of homes sit unoccupied, around 17 million to be exact.
So it's because of this, that the mayor of Akron, Ohio, wants to help people fix or repair the homes they already have. Dan Horrigan has created a programme that will use funding from the American Rescue Plan Act – which came as a response to the pandemic – to repair Akron homes.
“The Akron Home Repair Program is intended to address the housing, health, and safety needs of income-eligible households so that Akron residents can maintain a safe, decent, and affordable place to live,” said Mayor Dan Horrigan.
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The program is said to provide up to $25,000 for home repairs to Akron homeowners who qualify. Those repairs may include accessibility modifications, carpentry repairs, foundations, plumbing, roofing, HVAC, and electrical work. The goal is to improve the homes of people in Akron and increase the value of said homes.
“It will help Akronites age in place, increase property values within our neighborhoods, and increase the overall value of the Akron community,” Horrigan said.
“This is one of the largest housing repair programs utilizing ARPA funding across the entire country, and I’m extremely proud to invest these funds in ways that the community has asked for.”
To meet the qualifications, you have to be a homeowner within the Akron city limits that’s current on things like taxes and mortgage. The home has to be structurally sound. And the home has to either be in a census tract with a household income below 80% of the area’s median or outside a census tract with a household income below 50% of the area’s median income.
They plan to start these renovations in July 2022.
DONATE: Habitat for Humanity is an organization that also helps people create a nice place for them to live.
SUPPORT: Look into volunteering your time to build houses or shelter those in need.
