PINE BLUFF, Ark. — The City of Pine Bluff is putting $230,000 toward emergency home repairs, and the chance for low-income homeowners to apply for that assistance is now open.
According to data from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) between 2016 and 2020, about one-third of Pine Bluff residents had housing issues with about half of those involving severe problems. Many of those homes with issues are considered low-income.
Pine Bluff Economic and Community Development Director Lorie Guelache is working to help homeowners rebuild through the city's low-income-focused emergency housing assistance program.
Applications for the program opened up on May 1 and they have already had dozens of applicants.
"When we look at this program, this is fixing the individual housing unit. So as individual, by family, block by block, neighborhood by neighborhood," Guelache said, "Prioritizing people who make less than 30%, of the area median income, as well as people who are 65 plus and or have a disability."
The program has been running for over 30 years and historically has gotten hundreds of applicants each cycle.
"The condition of your housing, a lot of people may not realize but it affects your mental health. It affects the well-being of your family," added Guelache.
The program aims to fix emergency conditions like roof leaks, missing windows, septic or sewer issues, electrical hazards, and even heating or air conditioning problems.
"We usually give about a $10,000 allowance for repairs," Guelache said, "It's not remodeling your house, this is addressing emergency conditions in the house."
Though unfortunately the city can usually only fund about 20 applicants.
"This program has such a demand that we just don't have enough resources to really address the demand," Guelache said. "Our vision for this community is that we are a safe, vibrant community filled with thriving individuals and thriving families."
The application is open through May 21.
Guelache hopes to help direct people to as many resources as they can at a town hall meeting that will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday at the Pine Bluff Convention Center.
For more information on the program, please click here.