SOME 22 HOMEOWNERS ELIGIBLE FOR CITY GRANTS

CHAFFEE -- Linda and Miles Kennedy have been waiting six years to fix up their house on Cook Street.

And now they have the chance through a Community Development Block Grant. At least six homeowners attended an informational meeting Thursday night at City Hall here.

"We've been waiting and praying that we are eligible," Kennedy said, adding that she will return tomorrow with her completed application.

A second hearing will be held today from 9 to noon. Homeowners interested in renovating their property still can pick up an application at City Hall.

In July, the city received the $225,600 grant to rehabilitate some 22 homes. Two abandoned homes will be demolished.

City officials applied for the grant with the help of the Bootheel Regional Planning and Economic Development Commission in Malden.

The rehabilitation program could include replacing roofs, wiring, exterior doors, siding, cabinets and plumbing in each house.

"We don't replace carpet just because you don't like the blue carpet," said Joe Lane, community development director for the commission.

With these projects there is often a lot of comparison among neighbors, he said.

The target area is in Ward 1 and is bound by Dame Street on the north, Second Street on the east, Cook Avenue on the south and Third Street on the west.

The neighborhood was chosen based on its eligibility rating as the most deteriorated or substandard area, Lane said, adding that it is also one of the oldest neighborhoods in Chaffee.

Each applicant is eligible for about $14,000 in rehabilitation costs, but estimates are closer to $9,500, he said.

Renovations are usually completed by individual contractors within a month.