Council committee moves to participate in state CHIP housing grant; Athens County to serve as grantee

Jeremy Boggs, director of housing operations for HAPCAP’s Nelsonville office, told the City & Safety Services Committee that the Community Housing Impact & Preservation (CHIP) program can fund home- and rental-rehab, owner and rental home-repair, down-payment assistance and tenant-based rental assistance.

Boggs said the city of Athens is eligible for $300,000 alone but could access $350,000 if it partners with another eligible community; Athens County would be the grantee this year, so funds would flow through the county auditor, which Boggs said means no direct city cash outlay to participate. Funding sources named in the presentation included HOME funds, Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds from HUD, and a state housing trust fund.

Mayor Patterson and committee members described prior positive experience with the program, noted that rehabilitation projects typically carry a five-year affordability period with possible forgiveness after that period, and agreed to advance participation toward first reading and the application (application deadline noted) in order to meet the state timeline.

Next steps: Staff will prepare the appropriate ordinance language for first reading and coordinate with Athens County auditors for grant administration.