The overview
At a Nov. 4 meeting, Missouri City City Council approved contracts with five contractors for housing rehabilitation services funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Community Development Block Grant program. The federally funded program provides funds to cities to serve low- to moderate-income individuals.
Approved contractors include:
- Byrdson Service LLC
- DSW Homes LLC
- Santex Building Company LLC
- The Restoration Team
- J.C. Cantera Homes Inc.
About the program
The city’s Owner-Occupied Housing Rehabilitation Program aims to fund at least 10 minor home repairs for qualified individuals in Missouri City, according to agenda documents. Additionally, each project must cost no more than $20,000, however the city may make exceptions for up to $30,000.
Repairs can include:
- Septic systems, sewer hookups or plumbing repairs
- Structural improvements for floors, walls, ceilings or foundations
- Electrical, heat, hot water or air conditioning repairs
- Lead or asbestos removal
- Windows or roof repairs
- Insulation and/or energy efficiency improvements
- City or code violations
- Accessibility improvements
- Porch or steps
- Be the owner of a single-family home in Missouri City city limits and must have lived in the home for at least one year
- Not be behind on mortgage payments, delinquent in real estate taxes or property owners association assessments
- Have sufficient home insurance, and flood insurance must be obtained if the area is in a floodplain
- Not have received rehabilitation assistance from the city in the past five years
- Meet HUD’s income requirements and be classified as the low- to moderate-income level
In August, City Council approved the city’s high priorities for the use of the grant funding for the next five years, which included:
- Assistance for people with a disability
- Code enforcement
- Mental health
- Housing rehabilitation
- Battered individuals
- Meals on Wheels
- Educational services, including scholarship and adult basic education
- Infrastructure
- Emergency repairs
Qualified residents are encouraged to apply, and applications are accepted on a rolling basis until all funds are used, according to the city’s website.