TJPDC to pursue second year of rural preservation grant

The regional planning body that covers five rural localities and Charlottesville has endorsed the pursuit of another round of funding from the federal government for rural housing preservation.

“The housing preservation grant basically helps folks rehabilitate their homes, particularly those with low or extremely low incomes,” said Logan Ende.

Funding goes to partner agencies such as the Albemarle Home Improvement Program or the Fluvanna-Louisa Housing Foundation who do the work upfront and are reimbursed by the TJPDC using the grant funding. Ende said there is up to $5,000 available for each project and the average is about $3,500. Each organization also provides a local match.

“Typically the money is used for things like a new HVAC system or a roof replacement,” Ende said. “Generally speaking,  pretty crucial repairs for people’s homes.”   

The TJPDC received $212,435 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for the current federal fiscal year which ends on September 30. There’s about $35,000 remaining that is not yet committed. 

“Probably a handful of projects will come in the rest of the summer to be completed and that might wrap things up,” Ende said. 

The TJPDC is asking for less funding in this cycle because the overall total available for the Commonwealth of Virginia has been lowered this year. 

Visit the TJPDC for more information on the grant program.

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