In case you haven’t heard, The City of Beatrice is applying to the Nebraska Department of Economic Development (NDED) to establish an Owner-Occupied Housing Rehabilitation Program through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG). Eligible homeowners may receive assistance to make structural, mechanical, electrical, weatherization, and plumbing improvements to their homes.
What does this mean for the citizens of Beatrice? If you own and occupy the house you live in, and your income per household is below the gross annual income limits, you may be eligible for some assistance in making repairs to your home.
What kind of repairs? Structural (foundation, roofs, etc.), mechanical (furnace and air conditioning), water heater, electrical (wiring, fuse boxes, etc.), plumbing (sewer lines, water leaks, etc.), weatherization and insulation (doors, windows, siding, etc.), general maintenance repairs, handicapped accessibility (ramps, bathrooms, etc.), relieving overcrowding, safety code deficiencies, and lead-based paint mitigation.
When I first looked at the list of eligible repairs for this program, my first thought was of the International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC). The IPMC is adopted by the City of Beatrice and is enforce regularly on many structures throughout the city. In fact, we would like to enforce this particular section of the code more often, but we end up spending more time on nuisances such as weeds, junked vehicles, and trash complaints. The IPMC is basically a section out of our codes that requires you to make sure your structures meet the minimum code standards. Further, it helps ensure structures are being maintained so they can stand for many years to come. The IPMC is generally the area of the code we rely on when we have to determine whether or not a house/structure is considered unsanitary, dilapidated, or unfit for human occupancy, specifically to the point that demolition is the best (or most cost-efficient) option for a particular structure.
Recent housing studies have shown that Beatrice needs more and improved housing stock. This program will definitely help improve our housing stock, by improving code deficiencies and making necessary repairs throughout the city.
If you are an owner-occupant of a house, please visit the Community Development’s webpage for more details on this program or click the button below to be directed to the Housing Rehabilitation Program page.
Pre-applications can be found at the bottom of the webpage and should be submitted by July 15, 2021. If you cannot print one, please stop in our office or City Hall and we’ll be happy to provide you with one.
Rob Mierau
Community Development Director