Magnolia City Council to proceed with housing grant application

Magnolia City Council members voted Jan. 13 to proceed with a formal application for a state housing improvement grant with a few changes.
Council members supported moving forward after Magnolia’s preliminary application was deemed “moderately satisfactory” by state officials.
Teresa Keifer with Developmental Service Inc. of Ivanhoe began working with city officials in August. She submitted the application to the Small City Development Program on the city’s behalf.
“They are encouraging you to submit the (formal) application,” she said.
Magnolia partnered with the city of Jasper to increase the chances of receiving the state grant.
The grant would assist low- to moderate-income homeowners to afford necessary repairs to their homes such as new siding, windows and/or new roof.
“Safe, reliable housing is our goal,” Keifer said.
Jasper council members also approved moving forward with the application after a Jan. 14 public hearing.
Keifer said state officials recommend increasing the per-home maximum grant amount to $25,000.
Five Magnolia homeowners would be eligible to participate in the initial round of grant applications. In Jasper, 16 residents could participate in the initial funding cycle.
Keifer will submit the cities’ formal application next month. Grant recipients are announced this fall with program implementation in 2021.