The city of Brookhaven is seeking a 2003 HOME InvestmentPartnerships Program Grant to help needy homeowners repair theirdwellings. If approved, the city could receive up to $350,000 tomake home repairs.

While the city’s deadline for submitting a HOME programapplication is March 7, officials say they do not know if or whenit will be funded. The review process could take severalmonths.

In the meantime, homeowners who think they might qualify for theprogram should plan to attend a public hearing Tuesday at 5 p.m. inthe city boardroom to learn more. Applications to participate inthe program are available at the City Clerk’s office.

According to the application requirements, a person must own thehome or have at least a 50-year lease, occupy the home as theirprincipal residence, must be low-income and must agree to not leaseor rent the rehabilitated home in the future. The homeowner must beable to provide documentation on ownership and on date of homeconstruction.

How many homes are addressed will also depend on their state ofdisrepair and improvement costs. The maximum amount that can bespent varies from $48,000 for a one bedroom home to $83,000 for afour bedroom home. No matching funds from the homeowner or city arerequired.

Roy Geoghegan, a planner with the Southwest Mississippi Planningand Development District who has been helping the city with theprogram, states that the number of homes to be repaired will dependon several factors. Depending on applications, for now the plan isto rehabilitate one home in each ward. We’re not so sure that’s thebest way to proceed.

We understand why each of the ward representatives would wanttheir territory to share in the grant money, but would that bemaking the best use of the funds?

Our reasoning is the best use would be based on homeowner needs.If the grant is awarded, the city should make every effort toensure the money is spent where it will do the most good,regardless of ward boundaries.