According to Norris, the first $5,000 is an outright grant, with no-interest and low-interest loans available for more extensive renovations. He said the average renovation costs about $10,000.
The borough also is proposing $70,000 for the acquisition and demolition of vacant buildings. Norris said cleared lots in blighted neighborhoods would be donated or sold at nominal fees to a qualified organization to build new owner-occupied, low- to moderate-income housing.
One such group is Habitat for Humanity. According to Norris, that group wants $40,000 for the purchase of two lots on which to build homes.
The Borough Council will decide on March 17 how the $247,000 in federal block grant funds will be allocated. The requests reviewed Wednesday totaled $423,000, according to borough Secretary Tanya Mickey.
The planning and zoning commission has come up with its recommendations, which fall below all 12 funding requests.
The commission, for example, is proposing $63,800 for housing rehabilitation and $58,500 for building acquisition and demolition. It would cut Habitat's request to $25,400.
Other requests include:
The borough recreation department wants $20,000 to make the recreation center more handicapped-accessible.
Building Our Pride in Chambersburg Inc. is asking for $50,000 toward construction of a multipurpose building at the intersection of Hollywell Avenue and Industrial Drive.
The Chambersburg Community Improvement Association wants $50,000 to expand its building at 566 S. Main St.
Members of the Hispanic community want $15,000 to help establish a Hispanic-American Center in the borough, according to Mickey.
New Visions, which serves adults with chronic mental illness, requested $40,500 to expand its building at 152 S. Second St.
The First United Methodist Church is asking for $34,000 for a transitional housing program. The program would provide temporary housing for people no longer eligible to stay in the Franklin County Shelter for the Homeless.
Downtown Chambersburg Inc. has requested $25,000 for the continuing renovation of the Capitol Theatre.
The YMCA wants $8,600 for new programs.
