Wayne County Secures $700,000 Grant to Assist Homeowners with Repairs
Wayne County has been awarded a $700,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) from New York State Homes and Community Renewal (NYS HCR) to help lower-income homeowners make essential repairs to their homes. The funding aims to bring aging properties up to code, improving safety and livability for residents.
The county will partner with Rural Housing Opportunities Corporation (RHOC), a subsidiary of PathStone, to administer the program. RHOC specializes in rural housing initiatives and works to stabilize communities by providing financial assistance for home repairs and improvements.
“Our goal is to improve the quality of housing in the county for people who otherwise could not afford to fix their homes,” said Brian Pincelli, Director of Wayne County Economic Development & Planning. “This grant will allow people to continue living in their homes with greater safety and comfort.”
A recent Wayne County housing study found that 30% of homes in the county were built before 1949, and nearly half were constructed before 1970. The 2023 Comprehensive Housing Study emphasized the need for resources to address the challenges posed by aging housing stock, making this grant a step toward preserving homes for future generations.
RHOC President John Wiltse expressed enthusiasm for the initiative. “We’re excited to provide our expertise in rural housing to residents of Wayne County. With our partners at Wayne County and HCR, we hope to provide opportunities for people to continue living where they are despite financial limitations,” he said.
RHOC currently has a waiting list of applicants from previous home repair programs, but some new applications may be considered. Interested homeowners are encouraged to apply before the March 31 deadline. Applications will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis until all funds are allocated.
Residents seeking assistance can contact RHOC at homerehab@pathstone.org or 585-546-3700 x3017 for more information and application details.