Federal grants to upgrade housing for low income

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Four Maine community organizations will receive federal grants for housing improvements.

“This federal housing assistance will help Mainers throughout the state to upgrade and improve public and low-income housing,” said Sens. Olympia Snowe and William Cohen in a joint press release. “Upgrading and modernizing these facilities will make meaningful improvements in the lives of 56 families throughout the state.”

Three grants, awarded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development Administration, were presented to community action programs in Androscoggin, Aroostook, Oxford, Penobscot and Piscataquis counties. The housing preservation grants will help families with low and very low incomes to repair and renovate their own homes.

A fourth grant, awarded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, will provide housing counseling services to homeowners and buyers in the midcoast region.

Individual grants include:

$50,000 to the Aroostook Band of Micmacs in Presque Isle, to assist 15 families with home repairs.

$50,000 to the Penquis Community Action Program in Bangor, to assist 21 families in Penobscot and Piscataquis counties with home repairs.

$50,000 to Community Concepts Inc., in South Paris, to assist 20 families with home repairs.

$10,000 to Coastal Enterprises Inc. of Wiscasset, to provide housing counseling for one year for homebuyers, homeowners and renters.