Page 4
The Northside Chronicle
Facade improvement grant for eligible homeowners The Urban Redevelopment Authority is offering eligible homeowners in specific areas of Manchester and Central Northside the opportunity to fix-up the facades of their residential property through the Residential Façade Improvement Grant Program. The property owner is responsible for 50 percent of the project costs and the URA can offer up to $5,000 to match the owner’s contribution. The property owner is also responsible for any excess costs. The application fee to apply is $150 and the property owner must be the applicant. The project must cost at least $500 for the property owner to apply. To be eligible, homes must be solely owner-occupied residential property, mixed residential/ commercial property, or residential rental property. Homeowners must also follow these guidelines: A project must enhance the front façade and any side of the home facing a public street (alleyways and
paper streets included); Exterior improvements should preserve the original building design and be sympathetic to the architectural character of the surrounding neighborhood; Roof, landscaping and interior repairs are not eligible. Eligible improvements can include restoration of architectural details, replacement of deteriorated or in-efficient windows and doors, cleaning and re-pointing brick, painting, removing or repairing awnings, and replacements or upgrades of porches, gutter and downspout repair/replacement, light, etc. The property where the project will take place cannot have any outstanding municipal debt, and any construction that is started before the application and approval process is completed is not grant eligible. For more information and to request an application, email qwasler@ura.org or call (412) 255-6550.
Love Your [Resilient] Block Grant Award Program Seeking Applications for 2017 Mayor William Peduto announced on November 22 that applications are available for the City of Pittsburgh’s 2017 Love Your [Resilient] Block grant award program. The block revitalization program gives organizations up to $1,500 in funds for a neighborhood resilience-building project that mobilizes community volunteers. In addition, the group with the project identified to have the most positive impact will be awarded an additional $3,000 to further their efforts. Projects will be implemented
from March 1 to August 31, 2017. Applications are available online at: http://www.pittsburghpa.gov/ servepgh/loveyourblock/grantapp. Applicants for the 2017 program must be a qualified nonprofit organization (or have the support of a nonprofit fiscal agent) and the impacted area must be within city limits. Applications must be received no later than January 6, 2017. Late applications will not be accepted. Applicants will be notified of their status on January 27, 2017. See Block, Page 6
December 2016