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City wants more funds to improve houses in northeast Carbondale

Magnolia Hood has been living in the northeast area of Carbondale with her husband and their 7-year-old daughter for the past two years and said more could be done to help improve the area.

Even though Hood believes the city could offer more, she does think highly of the housing rehabilitation program, which is used to assist homeowners in remodeling houses in northeast Carbondale.

Due to an overwhelming response from homeowners on the northeast side, the city is applying for more funds from the Community Development Assistance Program in order to continue the housing rehabilitation program. However, the City Council must first approve a resolution that would allow the city to apply for the increase in grant funds at Tuesday's meeting.

"I think it's a nice thing for people who need money," Hood said. "There's definitely a difference in this side of town than over by Schnucks."

Yet, Hood said she sees other options the city could also do to help the area.

"I think it will help in the long run," Hood said, "But what about land that is just sitting there, but no one is doing anything about it?"

Previous assistance through the program was given to homeowners south of Fisher Street and west of North Wall Street, as well as north of James Street and Thelma Walker Avenue.

Hood said it is equally important for homeowners to improve the outside of their home as well as the inside.

"If you come to a neighborhood and see all dilapidated buildings, you're not going to buy a house in this neighborhood," Hood said.

If the application is approved by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, the city would be able to rehabilitate 11 homes in the area with priority given to elderly, disabled persons and low-income persons.

Assistant City Manager Don Monty said the number of people that have applied for grant has increased over the years. The city has applied for the grant since 1994 to help fund the housing rehabilitation program in the northeast area of Carbondale.

"I think it's because people are getting to know about it," Monty said. "You clearly have people that have a need that you can't get to. So they re-apply."

The last time the city took applications for the program, which was a little over a year ago, there were 51 applicants, Monty said.

However, he said the city cannot approve everyone, but the program has assisted more than 100 homeowners in the past.

"It's a very popular program," Monty said. "It's nowhere near enough to meet the need state-wide."

This new application for the $400,000 grant, which is the maximum amount a city can be rewarded, also includes an additional application for a $77,000 grant through the Illinois Housing Development Authority.

The city applies for the maximum amount available every year, but Monty said it is up to the state to decide how much is awarded to Carbondale.

He said the last time the city applied for the grant, it was approved for $385,000.

The City Council will also be presented with a study on the feasibility of installing a light at the East Walnut and Cedarview streets intersection.

According to a report by the Director of Public Works, a traffic signal at the intersection would not be feasible and noted the intersection does not have a high enough traffic rate for a traffic signal.

Because of the limited number of accidents that occur in the area, the report stated that a traffic signal could actually increase traffic problems for the area.

 

 

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