City awards first home-improvement grants | Local News

Response to Cleburne’s new Cleburne Pride Home Improvement Incentive Program has been great, Cleburne Economic Development Director Grady Easdon said.

The Cleburne City Council approved the program’s first two awards during their Tuesday meeting.

The program provides up to 30% of eligible costs for a maximum of $5,000 in reimbursements for approved home improvements to eligible Cleburne homeowners.

Council members approved the program in the current year’s budget and funded it to the tune of $40,000.

Council members on Tuesday approved a request from a Westhill Drive homeowner for $5,000 worth of reimbursement.

The homeowner plans to replace siding, renovate and paint the front porch area and replace the front entry door on the 1956 built home.

The total cost of the projects is pegged at $20,440 making the homeowner eligible for the maximum reimbursement.

Council members also approved a request from a Bellevue Drive homeowner for projects totaling $4,860. Under terms of the program, the homeowner will receive $1,458 in reimbursements.

The homeowner plans to replace the home’s driveway and walkway.

Less Tuesday’s awards approved by council, $33,542 remains available through the current fiscal year for additional grants, Easdon said.

“I’ve received several other applications that I’m going through now,” Easdon said. “So, response to this program has been very good.”

The program in part grew out of the city’s previous infill lot reimbursement program. That program offered reimbursement for impact fees tied to various lots throughout the city. Lots that in many cases sat vacant for years because they were cost prohibitive to develop.

City officials said the infill lot program led to most of those lots being purchased and developed. With few such lots left, council members decided not to renew the infill program when it expired last year and instead approved creation of the Cleburne Pride Home Improvement Incentive Program.

The goals of the Cleburne Pride program include helping those otherwise unable to repair their homes and, in doing so, helping to overall improve older Cleburne neighborhoods.

Council members several years ago approved creation of facade grants and building grants for downtown buildings as well as, in the case of the second grant, buildings along the Main and Henderson street corridors.

Those ongoing grant programs, officials said, proved successful and played a big role in downtown’s renovation and beautification of late.

The Cleburne Pride program remains a pilot program for now, one which council members will decide whether to continue funding once budget talks begin for the next fiscal year.

Although council members have yet to comment on whether they plan to support continuation of the program next year or in the years ahead, Mayor Scott Cain praised the program’s results so far.

“We’ve had a lot of success partnering with downtown businesses in bringing downtown back through the facade and building grant programs,” Cain said. “By working with homeowners through this new program, we hope to help restore and improve our older neighborhoods.

“Before the toll road opened, we talked about making sure no one was left behind as we grow. This program is another tool to ensure that growth helps improve our entire city.”

The Cleburne Pride Program to single-family homes 30 years old or older.

For information on eligible improvement projects and other program guidelines, visit cleburne.net or call 817-645-0900.