A Word file has also been attached so that you may open it and print it for your records.
Elm Street Façade & Driveway / Landscape Improvement
Grant Program Guidelines
Indiana Borough Second Ward
Our Mission Statement ~
The Indiana Borough Elm Street Neighborhood Improvement Program is a partnership of residents, business leaders and government officials dedicated to revitalizing Indiana’s older neighborhoods through community development programs that compliment Main Street’s economic development programs. We achieve our mission by encouraging home ownership, improving the housing stock, beautifying the streetscape, improving safety, involving residents and developing new leaders to benefit our community.
Please return the application and required documentation to:
Victoria Rosenberger
Elm Street Project Manager
c/o Downtown Indiana, Inc.
39 North 7th Street, Suite 101
Indiana, PA 15701
Phone: 724-463-6110
Revised June, 2010
Supported by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Department of Community and Economic Development, Elm Street Grant Funding:
Guidelines for a Program Designed to Create
an Attractive and Inviting Neighborhood
Thank you for your interest in the Indiana Borough Elm Street Neighborhood Improvement Program! This program provides grants to help neighborhood residents cover the cost of improvements to their properties.
A neighborhood with well-maintained properties clearly reflects the confidence of property owners in the future of their town. This sense of caring and personal involvement contributes significantly to the community’s ability to attract new business, industrial and residential investments. An attractive and clean neighborhood creates:
· a positive environment for residents and visitors
· pride in the neighborhood
· a well-maintained neighborhood where people feel safe
Funding for the grants comes from the Pennsylvania Department Community and Economic Development (“DCED”) through the Elm Street Program Grant in compliance with the Elm Street Program Act 73 P.S.392.2001 et seq. [and those that follow] and applicable regulations, if any (the “Act”). To the extent that these Guidelines and Application contradict the Act, each applicant agrees that the Act and requirements of DCED are controlling. These Guidelines are intended as a summary only of the requirements of the Elm Street Program Grant. The complete requirements are set forth in the Act and the requirements of the DCED.
Grant money is to be used for home improvements and does not have to be paid back unless the property is sold within 5 years. Grant awards are determined by the Elm Street Design Committee following specific program guidelines.
Only properties within the designated Elm Street Neighborhood located in the Second Ward Neighborhood are eligible to receive the grants. This is the area bounded by Church Street on the north, Carter and Grandview Avenues on the south, on the east by Fourth Street (extending to the rear property lines of residences on the east side of the street) and to the west by Seventh Street (described as the rear property lines of the residences on the west side of the street (please see attached map).
The Elm Street grant can provide up to $5,000 per property. Only property owners can apply, so if you are a tenant in a rental property, please have your landlord complete the application.
Elm Street Façade, Driveway / Landscape Improvement Grant Program
PROGRAM GOALS:
· Improve the exterior appearance and conditions of properties in the Elm Street Neighborhood.
· Assist low and moderate income neighborhood residents to improve their homes.
· Regain and maintain the historic integrity and architectural appearance of the neighborhood.
· Protect and enhance property values
ELIGIBLE PROPERTIES:
· Must be located within the boundaries of the designated Elm Street Neighborhood;
· Residential properties;
· Mixed-use commercial/residential properties;
· Occupied properties; vacant properties that are structurally sound as determined by the borough zoning officer, and the owner has a permit and the means to make the property habitable are eligible; all other vacant properties are not eligible.
· Commercial properties
ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS:
· Property owners with taxes, mortgage, and borough utilities paid up to date.
· Both owner-occupied and rental property owners are eligible (Note: property OWNER must apply for the grant, tenants are not eligible.)
· Amount of match will be determined by the owner’s household income.
PROPERTY STANDARDS:
· Properties must be structurally sound.
· Property owners must demonstrate proof of fire insurance.
· Property owners may not have any outstanding municipal debt, including city and school district taxes, utilities, or other municipal liens on the building referenced in the grant application.
· Property owners may not be delinquent on local taxes.
· Vacant properties must be structurally sound as determined by a structural engineer to the satisfaction of the zoning officer. The owner must have a building permit and the means to make the property habitable.
ELIGIBLE FAÇADE IMPROVEMENTS:
The façade grant program is to be used for refurbishing the front façade of the property, only, the exception being a corner building facing a street and/or avenue. The grant funds may not be used for the sides of a building, back of a building, or the roof.
· Restoration of architectural details and removal of elements covering any such architectural details
· Cleaning, repair and/or painting of building exteriors;
· Repair and replacement of damaged siding
· Replacement of deteriorated windows and doors, sashes, sills and framing;
· Replacement or repair of porches, columns/supports, steps, railings and front sidewalk entrances;
· Re-pointing of brick or repairing cornices;
· Installation of appropriate entrance lighting;
· Removal or repair of awnings;
· Installation or improving gutter and downspout systems in conjunction with other façade improvements made to the property;
· Installation of new awning and/or signage on commercial building.
The Elm Street Design Committee may recommend other façade projects not identified above, as it deems necessary to improve the overall appearance and viability of the structure. Each structure is unique, with unique needs, and these must be addressed individually.
ELIGIBLE DRIVEWAY / LANDSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS:
· It is the goal of the program to install landscape materials that are recommended to have the lifespan of at least 5 years or more.
o Examples of suggested improvements:
§ Landscape lighting
§ Paving
§ Shrubs
§ Trees
§ Topsoil/grass
§ Fencing
o Examples of ineligible materials:
§ Bulbs (tulips & daffodils)
§ Annual plants
§ Seasonal lighting/Decorations (Christmas lighting)
§ Temporary planters
CONTRACTORS:
· The Elm Street Design Committee strongly encourages that all façade improvement work be performed by qualified contractors. For recommended contractors, please contact the Indiana Armstrong Builders Association at 724-349-2327 or email at
indarmd@microserve.net. The property owner must obtain at least one written estimate for the façade work.
· On a case by case basis the Design Committee may approve an application where the property owner performs the work provided that documented experience in completing house repairs is included as part of the application. If the work is to be done on your own, the application should only show cost of materials.
FAÇADE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS:
1. Application deadlines, review & approval dates will be publicly announced in advance. Contact the Elm Street office for current dates at 724-463-6110. Applications must be signed by the property owner prior to consideration by the Elm Street Design Committee.
2. All properties to receive façade grant assistance must be located within the boundaries of the Elm Street Neighborhood project area (see attached map of the Second Ward of Indiana). No applications will be taken for properties located outside of the project area.
3. The grant applicant must be the property owner. All taxes and borough utilities must be current prior to the application being processed. The property owner must provide evidence of insurance coverage on the property.
4. The work must comply with the Indiana Borough codes and applicant must obtain building permit approval prior to turning in the grant application. Once the applicant receives approval by the Elm Street Design Committee the applicant is responsible for the payment of all permit fees to Indiana Borough. For permit information contact the Indiana Borough Zoning Office (724) 465-6691.
5. The proposed improvements must conform to design standards via a detailed description of the work to be done.
6. All projects must receive prior written approval from the Elm Street Design Committee before
the project is started.
7. Eligible recipients and the types of assistance to be provided include:
a. The total cost for the project must be at least $500.00.
b. A façade grant of up to $5,000 is available for improvements. Should the property owner’s income fall below or equal to 115% of the median income (see Indiana Borough Elm Street Façade Improvement Income Chart below), the property owner will be required to pay a minimum of 10% or more of the total cost of the improvements.
c. Homeowners with incomes above 115% of the median income, landlords, and commercial building owners will be required to match the grant dollar for dollar and may receive a maximum grant of $5,000 for the façade improvement work.
d. To maximize participation, each property owner may submit only one application per year. No applicant may receive more than $10,000 in façade improvement grant funds during the five year length of the program.
8. The Elm Street Committee will not discriminate against the applicant in any manner on the basis of race, creed, marital status, color, sex, age, religion, national origin, sexual preference or physical handicap, as required by the United States and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
9. The property owner must continue to own the property for a five-year period after the work is
completed so as not to benefit financially from the façade grant. The ESDC may elect to file
either a mortgage or municipal lien against the property to secure its interest in the
improvement of the property to insure that the use of the grant funds are not abused by the
property owner. Should the property owner sell the property during the five-year period, the
obligation to repay the grant shall be forgiven at a rate of 20% per year on each anniversary
date over the five-year period.
Indiana Borough Elm Street Façade, Driveway / Landscape Improvement Program Income Chart
· Should the homeowner’s income be less than or equal to 115% of the median income the homeowner will be required to pay a minimum 10% or more local match.
· Should the homeowner’s income be greater than that figure, the homeowner must pay 50% of the project cost.
· Income should be calculated using income from all members of the household over the age of 18.
Indiana County Median Income: $ 48,200*
*Median income per family size subject to change as determined annually by DCED.
*Household size is all persons, of any age, residing in a household.
|
Household Size
|
115% of Area Median Income
|
|
1
|
$41,450
|
|
2
|
$47,400
|
|
3
|
$53,300
|
|
4
|
$59,225
|
|
5
|
$63,950
|
|
6
|
$68,700
|
|
7
|
$73,450
|
|
8
|
$78,200
|
Property Owner Household Income Examples
|
Property Owner Household Income Greater than 115% of Indiana County Median Income
|
|
|
|
|
|
Example A - Project Cost
|
$ 2,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Elm Street Grant (maximum grant $5,000)
|
$ 1,000
|
50%
|
|
Property Owner Contribution (minimum 50% of project cost)
|
$ 1,000
|
50%
|
|
Total Payments
|
$ 2,000
|
100%
|
|
|
|
|
|
Example B - Project Cost
|
$ 10,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Elm Street Grant (maximum grant $5,000)
|
$ 5,000
|
50%
|
|
Property Owner Contribution (minimum 50% of project cost)
|
$ 5,000
|
50%
|
|
Total Payments
|
$ 10,000
|
100%
|
|
|
|
|
|
Example C - Project Cost
|
$ 15,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Elm Street Grant (maximum grant $5,000)
|
$ 5,000
|
33%
|
|
Property Owner Contribution (minimum 50% of project cost)
|
$ 10,000
|
67%
|
|
Total Payments
|
$ 15,000
|
100%
|
|
|
|
|
|
Property Owner Household Income Less Than or Equal to 115% of Indiana County Median Income
|
|
|
|
|
|
Example D - Project Cost
|
$ 2,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Elm Street Grant (maximum grant $5,000)
|
$ 1,800
|
90%
|
|
Property Owner Contribution (minimum 10% of project cost)
|
$ 200
|
10%
|
|
Total Payments
|
$ 2,000
|
100%
|
|
|
|
|
|
Example E - Project Cost
|
$ 5,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Elm Street Grant (maximum grant $5,000)
|
$ 4,500
|
90%
|
|
Property Owner Contribution (minimum 10% of project cost)
|
$ 500
|
10%
|
|
Total Payments
|
$ 5,000
|
100%
|
|
|
|
|
|
Example F - Project Cost
|
$ 8,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Elm Street Grant (maximum grant $5,000)
|
$ 5,000
|
63%
|
|
Property Owner Contribution (minimum 10% of project cost)
|
$ 3,000
|
38%
|
|
Total Payments
|
$ 8,000
|
100%
|
APPLICATION PROCESSING:
1. Applications must include:
· Architect’s or contractor’s façade drawing
· Photographs of the present building façade (preferably 8”x10” and in color) Please also
target the areas needing restoration with close-up photos.
· Itemized cost estimate - a description of the work to be performed on the property including
the types/samples of the materials to be used (paint chips/color samples of paint or siding)
Please note: Labor and materials must be listed separately
- A copy of the latest receipt for paid property & school taxes
· A copy of the deed to the property
· Proof of homeowners’ insurance
· A copy of the latest federal income tax return for all members of household over the age of
18 or if you are not required to file, please provide proof of income such as W-2’s, bank
interest statements or 1099’s. Please note: If you are over the income limit for reduced
match, and will be matching funds dollar for dollar, a copy of your income tax is not required.
· Proof of other income (social security, SSI, pensions, veterans’ benefits, child support, etc)
· Evidence of private funding. Please note: This may include a copy of checking/savings
statement or copy of loan guarantees to substantiate your private funds.
· Borough building permit approval (if applicable).
2. Incomplete applications will be returned to the applicant by the Elm Street Design Committee.
3. The applications will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the Elm Street Design Committee (ESDC) and in some cases be referred to a design professional for review and suggestions. Once the Elm Street Design Committee approves the application, it will be recommended by the Elm Street Manager to ESDC staff for financial processing. Please note that any project started prior to approval by the ESDC will not be eligible for the façade improvement grant.
4. All applicants will be informed by a mailed letter stating the decision of the Design Committee.
5. Upon approval, the property owner will enter into a Façade, Driveway / Landscaping Improvement Grant Agreement with the Elm Street Program, which outlines the terms and requirements of the Façade Improvement Program. A contract for the façade work will be executed between the property owner and the contractor. Additionally, the property owner will be asked to execute a Note and Mortgage for any borrowed matching funding for all projects funded through other grant programs.
FAÇADE, DRIVEWAY / LANDSCAPING IMPROVEMENT CONSTRUCTION AND PAYMENT PROCESS:
1. Grants will be awarded to qualified applicants for eligible property improvement projects. The amount of the grant is limited to 50% or 90% of the total estimated improvement cost project, depending on the household income, not to exceed $5,000 per property.
2. The property owner is responsible for all project costs over and above the maximum grant amount. The property owner will pay match share of the project cost first directly to the contractor. The Elm Street Design Committee will pay the balance amount not to exceed the total grant amount.
3. Grants for property owners with a household income above 115% of the area median income are limited to 50% of the project cost, or the maximum grant amount of $5,000, whichever is less.
4. Owners of rental properties must pay a minimum of 50% of the project cost or the maximum
grant amount of $5,000 or less.
5. Upon execution of the required legal documents, the property owner and contractor will be issued a Notice to Proceed with the façade work. The applicant has 45 to 60 days to begin work on the project.
6. A Design Committee team may conduct scheduled on-site inspections during the construction to assist the applicant and contractors in complying with the design guidelines of the project.
7. The property owner will be given ninety days to complete the project. Should the property owner experience delays (weather, contractor issues, etc), the property owner must immediately notify the ESDC in writing stating the reason for the delay and request an extension of time to complete the project. The ESDC will review the request and based upon merits of the request, will either grant or deny the request for an extension of time.
8. Upon completion of the façade work, the Elm Street Manager and the Design Committee will inspect the work to ensure it conforms to the approved plan. Upon their inspection and approval, payment will be made to the property owner or contractor. Payments will be made only after the work is completed and in place. No payment will be made for materials until they are installed and the project is completed. The ESDC will not be held liable for completed projects deemed unsatisfactory by the applicant. Any disputes between the contractor and property owner are to be handled by the applicant and selected contractor.
Each applicant and grant recipient understands and agrees that review and/or approval of the application and façade work by the Indiana Borough Elm Street Program and Design Committee, including without limitation, the designs, plans, specifications, materials, contractor, does not mean that the façade work conforms to applicable building codes or legal requirements nor does it mean that the façade work will be conducted in a good workman manner.
Each applicant and grant recipient releases and discharges the Indiana Borough Elm Street Program, the Design Committee, its employees and agents from any and all liability, damages and expenses in any way related to review of the application, approval/denial of the application, and the façade work.
