CDBG funds approved for township seniors

By Lisa Brody

Bloomfield Township Board of Trustees unanimously approved a grant application of $51,857 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) at their meeting on Monday, February 22.

The CDBG program provides funds for housing, public facilities and public service activities that benefit low-income households and people with special needs. Oakland County receives CDBG funding as an urban county, with participating communities required to join. Christine Tvaroha, senior services director, said Bloomfield Township has worked with Oakland County on the minor home repair program since 2009, and Meals on Wheels since 2014.

“The programs extend senior independent living,” Tvahora said.

To date, there have been 116 minor home repair projects complete, with nine projects completed in 2020, five projects that are currently active, and 25 active inquiries.

Tvaroha said the average age of the homeowners is 79 years old, with the average age of home ownership at 30 years. The average annual income is $25,085. The minimum age for qualification is 60.

Typical repairs are to roof, siding, chimney, porch, driveway, stairs,electrical, plumbing, water and waste, with replacement of furnaces, water heaters, gutters, handrails, and other repairs common, as well as the addition of architectural ramps.

Of the $51,857 from CDBG grants for 2021, $36,300 will go to minor home repairs, and $15,557 to Meals on Wheels, which is the maximum allowable under HUD eligibility, which sets it at 30 percent.

She said they currently have 187 clients being served by Meals on Wheels, 144 which are new clients. She said two-thirds live alone. There was a 40 percent growth this past year, with 8,648 meals served.

To be eligible, a township resident must be at least 62, participate in an in-home assessment, and have limited ability to leave home unassisted.