Ironwood seeks funding

By RALPH ANSAMI

[email protected]

Ironwood — Ironwood’s Norrie Location and the Longyear Park area are targets for a $100,000 housing rehabilitation grant that is being sought by the city.

Community Development Director Michael Brown briefly discussed plans for the grant at a recent public hearing before the city commission.

The grant is being sought through the Michigan State Housing Development Authority.

A previous grant was administered in the Norrie area from 2013-15 and there have been many more grant inquiries from that area. “Since receiving so many inquiries about obtaining housing rehabilitation funding, we have come to the conclusion that there is still a great need in the Norrie neighborhood and our community as a whole,” Brown wrote in a memo to the city commission.

As for the Longyear Park area, Brown said at the public hearing, “We see a need in that area, as well.”

Homeowners can use the funds for windows, doors, roofing, siding and electrical work, among other items.

Brown said four previous projects in the Norrie neighborhood addressed deficiencies and $67,751 has been spent and $86,612 committed of the previous $100,000 grant. Two additional housing rehabilitation projects are half way completed.

There is no city match required for the grant, but homeowners may be required to match some MSHDA rehab funds.

The city has participated in the MSHDA grant program for several years.

The application for the additional $100,000 is to be submitted this month, designed to benefit low and moderate income people.