Austin HRA announces new home improvement program – Austin Daily Herald

With support from a Hormel Foundation grant, the Austin Housing & Redevelopment Authority (HRA) is announcing the launch of a new program: CAP (Curb Appeal Project).

The intent of CAP is to pay a portion of project costs to Austin property owners who will make qualifying exterior improvements to the front/street side of their home, increasing its curb appeal which benefits the entire Austin community. There are income limits to participate.

Grants range from between $1,000 to $5,000. Homeowners must pay at least $4,000 of their own funds to be eligible to receive the minimum grant amount of $1,000 from the HRA. These dollars do not need to be repaid; this would be a one-time grant.

Grants equal 20% of the applicant’s individual project would not exceed $5,000. If work is being done by the homeowner material costs qualify, but any tool costs will not be eligible.

Eligibility Requirements

• Owner-occupied, single family homes in the City of Austin.

• Current on property taxes.

• Property value is less than $200,000 based on Mower County estimated property value.

• The bulk of these projects must be visible from the street in front of the house.

• None of these projects can be part of an insurance claim.

• CHIP I or CHIP II Loans cannot be used for this program.

• Work cannot begin until approved by HRA.

•These grants will only be awarded to an individual once.

Possible Qualifying Projects include

• Front door, storm door, and/or garage door

• Sidelight windows by front door

• Columns at front door

• Covered front porch

• Brick, stone, or shakes

• Alter roofline on front of house

• Permanent landscaping (includes tree trimming, removal and replacement of overgrown and/or dead items, planting new trees, shrubs, plants and/or flowers)

• Driveway, sidewalk (repair or replace)

• Window boxes, shutters (add or replace)

• Screening of utility boxes and/or garbage and recycling cans

• Fence (add, repair, or replace)

• Windows (only front windows would qualify)

Income limits will be the same as the CHIP II program:

• 1 person $65,000

• 2 people $75,000

• 3 people and over $85,000

Based on the 2017 Housing Study there is a need to maintain our aging housing stock and the HRA feels this will help put another tool in the toolbox.

CAP Applications can be picked up at the Austin HRA @ 308 2nd Ave. NE, Austin, MN 55912 or call 507-433-1866.

Next Post

Brown couch living room ideas

Sun Mar 13 , 2022
Brown couch living room ideas; it was the color of the seventies in both fashion and interiors, but it is the color that continues to reign supreme when it comes to our color choice of couch. Thankfully, there are a whole variety of ways to complement this beautiful seating choice […]
Brown couch living room ideas

You May Like