People who can't afford to fix up their homes can now get money from the city.
The City Home Repair Program is accepting applications to fix big ticket items that people struggle with or cannot afford, like new roofs, plumbing problems, malfunctioning heaters and air conditioners. The money for the program comes from the federal government and is used by the Neighborhood and Housing Services Department.
"These homes are their properties, they are holding onto their homes. Many of them can't leave and so we help them with major repairs," said Stuart Bullington, the Deputy Director of the Neighborhood and Housing Services Department. "To all of a sudden have a brand new roof put on, or to have a furnace that's reliable, or to be able to flush the toilet, all of those things it makes them very happy to get this work done."
Last year around 900 people applied for the program. Kansas City was able to help more than 200 people with their big fixes before the federal money ran out.
"I couldn't be more grateful for it," said Ken Haeflinger, a homeowner who had his roof repaired through the program. "My roof was fallen down. There was just absolutely no way I could afford to have it done."
Applications for the program are being taken until September 30.
If you would like to apply for the program, click here for the link.
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Richard Sharp can be reached at richard.sharp@kshb.com.
