County to apply for Home in the Heartland grant to move 15 households

Planning Director Amanda Webb asked the board for direction on applying to the state Home in the Heartland program (the Make My Move model). Commissioners approved preparing an application for 15 movers with the county’s 20% match and staff in-kind contributions.

Webb said the state maximum is $250,000 and presented sample contractor costs for 10–25 movers. She recommended 15 movers for this round. Webb provided an in-kind staff-time estimate of $858 per mover (52-week basis), producing $12,870 in in-kind for 15 movers and a county cash remainder match of $26,730 for the 20% share. "We are the only ones contributing cash and the cash incentive part of it, that $5,000," Webb said, referencing the county’s incentive model and community partners’ noncash contributions. The commission moved and seconded to have staff prepare the application and update the contract with Make My Move.