CUYAHOGA FALLS: City Council will decide tonight whether to approve plans to spend nearly $1 million in Community Development Block Grants and related money.
The total includes an anticipated $500,000 in grant money — 5 percent less than last year’s allocation. The balance would come from a revolving loan program and program income.
Falls Development Director Sue Truby presented the plan to council last week.
The funds provide low-income loans and grants to homeowners, loans to small businesses and money to invest in new development infrastructure.
Highlights of the 2013-2014 Action Plan include the continuation of residential programs like home improvement loans up to $15,000 and emergency grants to make repairs to conditions that threaten life, health or safety for up to $5,000.
Also continuing is down-payment assistance of $3,000 to first-time homebuyers.
New to the plan this year is an independent living grant. The grant provides a minimum of $4,000 to make a home safe and comfortable for homeowners with disabilities.
Also new is an exterior repair loan. This loan is capped at $5,000 and the homeowner must match 10 percent of the loan amount.
All of the programs have income, location and other requirements.
More information is available at 330-971-8135.
The Action Plan also calls for spending more than $275,000 to help build a street that would link State and Bath roads through a proposed $18 million development called French Mill Run.
The development includes 208 luxury loft apartments and 10,000 square feet of retail space.
Tonight’s council meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. in the Natatorium community room.
Gina Mace can be reached at ginamace2@gmail.com.