Elyria boosts its curb appeal with home beautification program

Elyria still has plenty of funding available to help homeowners improve their curb appeal through the Spruce Up Housing Beautification Program. A grant of up to $5,000 is available to qualifying homeowners. To qualify, a resident must be both the owner and occupier of the home who either lives in a qualified census tract or has an income that is at or below 185 percent of the federal poverty level. The program is run through the Community Development Department and is intended to raise property values and spur residents to invest in their homes. "Our housing stock is an important aspect of our community," Scott said. "Anything that we can do to help homeowners improve their housing stock is beneficial. Not just to the homeowner, but to the community as a whole." Councilman Kenny Oswald, D-4th Ward, helped bring the idea of a beautification program to Elyria after hearing about an existing program in Sandusky from a relative. "We've got an old city, and this is a good way to perk it up a little bit, "Give people the money they need to at least kick-start some of their projects. It's a serious win-win situation for the homeowners and the city because the city gets the benefit of the work going on in the city and the investment." Working with Scott and Assistant Safety Service Director Dawn Calvert, then director of Community Development, Oswald helped outline the goals and criteria of the program for Elyria, which is now in its second year. Oswald has extensive experience with construction and home rentals, and he said that he has found fixing up one house on a street tends to have a domino effect. "The thing that I've found is that when you do one home in an area, the next thing you know it's like wildfire," he said. "When we get a few of these projects going, next-door neighbors say 'Oh that looks really good, maybe I'll do mine.' And that's what's really helpful for the city, to make some of our areas look a lot better." The city allocated $250,000 for the project in 2024, which will provide for 50 applicants to receive the funding. That money came from American Rescue Plan Act funds. Last year the project received $250,000 in funding initially, with another $250,000 added later. To participate in the program, homeowners must fill out an application including information about their home, residents and desired work. If they do not live in a qualified census tract area, proof of income must also be included. Additionally, residents need to get a price estimate from a contractor for the desired work. In order to participate in the program, residents must use a contractor that has been approved by the city. For a list of registered contractors contact the Community Development Department at (440) 326-1541, or residents can use their own contractor who can then be approved by the city before carrying out the work. Oswald said the process is slow, but that was because the city has to be careful with approving work and registering contractors. Eligible projects include most improvements to a home or property that are visible from the public right-of-way including; porches, steps, doors, windows, siding, paint, roofs, driveway and sidewalk repairs and even landscaping, but only if it is along with another related repair. One new addition to the allowed project list this year is the demolition of detached structures, such as sheds or garages, which are dilapidated and visible from the public right-of-way. Not eligible are foundational repairs, chain link fences and debris removal. Another departure from past years is that only live-in homeowners can participate in the program. Renters and landlords are ineligible. Scott said there had been communication issues with landlords and tenants in the past that complicated the program, and that the program was really intended for homeowners from the outset. A list of census tract areas in Elyria is attached to this story online chroniclet.com. Most of them covering the southwestern and south-central portions of the city. Scott said that Community Development has received about 15 applications and only a handful of those have reached the point of sending purchase orders, so there are many spots left. "We do still have funding available so we encourage people to apply," she said. "If they have any questions or concerns, they are more than welcome to reach out to our office." Grants awarded through the program will be sent directly to the approved contractor once the work has been completed and inspected by Elyria's Housing Rehab Specialist. Once proposed work and estimates are reviewed by the city, contractors will have 30 days to complete the agreed-upon work; Scott said those deadlines can be extended. Homeowners who received funding in 2023 are not eligible. Visit cityofelyria.org/department/community-development/ for more information or to find an application. Contact Owen MacMillan at (440) 329-7123 or omacmillan@chroniclet.com.