Community Development Block Grant approved
By Dana Casadei
The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program application for 2025 was unanimously approved by the Bloomfield Township Board of Trustees at their meeting on Monday, November 11.
This yearly application process benefits low- and moderate-income persons and senior citizens in the township through Meals on Wheels and the township’s minor home repairs program.
The estimated planning allocation for both programs in 2025 is $50,000, with plans for $42,500 to go to the minor home repair program, and $7,500 to Meals on Wheels.
With the minor home repairs program, projects that can be completed for those who qualify include repairs to porches, driveways, or electrical.; replacing toilets, gutters, and sidewalks; removing large items or debris from around someone’s home and dangerous tree or limb removal; and correcting single code violations.
Christine Tvaroha, township director of senior services, said that applications require proof of income and residency, something her team is happy to walk people through if assistance is needed. The resident must also be at least 60 and the limit per project is $5,000.
In total, they’ve completed 147 projects through this program; seven projects are on track to be completed in 2024, with six currently in the works. The average homeowner who used the minor home repairs program is 81, has lived in their home for 18 years, and makes an annual income of $41,600.
The Meals on Wheels program offers frozen, hot, and liquid meals, to those who are township residents, at least 62, and have limited ability to leave their homes or have difficulty driving, grocery shopping and/or preparing meals.
Caregivers are also cared for with this program.
Within this past year they were able to deliver 4,921 meals to 78 unduplicated clients, 59 who were new to the program. Meals on Wheels also had 347 on-the-go meals purchased, nearly tripling last year’s amount.
This is a familiar application for the board to approve, something they’ve been doing so since 2009 when the township’s participation in the program began. It was initiated to create the minor home repair service, and in 2014, expanded to support Meals on Wheels as well.
Since its inception, Bloomfield Township Senior Services has invested over $800,000 in Bloomfield Township.
Even though the township has participated in the CDBG program for just over 15 years, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development requires each county to review its cooperation agreement with participating communities every three years. Participation in this allows for access to the highest level of federal funding for those who participate.
As the agenda item closed, Tvaroha also mentioned that they’ve recently started a home chore program for older adults that kicked off in October. It’s used for things like lawn mowing, gutter clearing and snow removal, and is free to residents who are income-eligible.
They’ve already served a dozen people, she said.
The new program was paid for through Oakland County American Rescue Plan Act funds.
