3 minute read
The Federal Grant Helping Palm Beach Gardens Stay Beautiful
Written by Ki Ki Hobbs
As we enter the second month of hurricane season, home improvement is often top of mind for many residents here in Palm Beach Gardens and across South Florida. Some may be considering installing impact windows, wind-resistant doors, or even upgrading their roofs. Regardless of the project, there’s one thing many of these home improvement jobs have in common: they can be extremely expensive.
Installing impact windows can cost homeowners anywhere from about $3,270 to $17,270 with each window costing $100 to $2,100, according to Home Advisor. To repair a roof, homeowners can pay as much as $1,500 for minor repairs, $7,000 for major work, and well over $8,000 for a total replacement, according to Forbes.
To help residents afford those costly home repairs, Palm Beach Gardens launched its Owner-Occupied Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program in May 2016. The program is funded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), which helps cities and counties increase access to decent housing and suitable living conditions.
For many homeowners, including Palm Beach Gardens resident David Dunnam, the program has been an incredible tool for fortifying their homes against hurricanes and severe storms. Dunnam first heard of the program through his neighbor, who had also qualified for funding for home improvements.
“I felt like I won the lottery,” Dunnam says, describing the moment he found out his application to the rehabilitation assistance program had been accepted. He was able to use the funding to install new impact windows and a new roof with asphalt shingles.
Before the improvements, Dunnam was considering leaving Florida. He says he was unsure if he wanted to ride out another hurricane season in his home, noting that he would typically evacuate to a shelter when storms came through the area. Dunnam says while he still plans to evacuate for major hurricanes, thanks to his home’s new impact windows, he feels more comfortable sheltering in place.
The repairs made me want to stay in Palm Beach Gardens,” he says, later adding, “I feel so much safer in my house now.
Since the Owner-Occupied Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program launched, the City has given out $772,121 in the form of zero-percent, interest payment deferred loans, which are forgiven after two years, to provide external home repairs. The CDBG has been a critical tool for the City. It’s not only a financial boon to community members, but it also funds projects that fortify homes, raise property values, and keep Palm Beach Gardens looking like a Signature City.
Funds for the Owner-Occupied Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program are limited, but the City is still accepting applications.
For more information, visit www.pbgfl.com/communitydevelopmentblockgrant.
