Bedford City Council talks owner-occupied home rehabilitation program

Noah Dalton, The Times-Mail
·3 min read

During Monday evening's meeting of the Bedford City Council, a public hearing was hosted to discuss the city applying for a Community Development Block Grant, provided by the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs, that would be used to fund an owner-occupied home rehabilitation program.

The $250,000 grant would be would be split between 15-20 city homeowners, who would be afforded up to $15,000 each for necessary repairs to their homes.

Repairs eligible for funding through the program are roofing, HVAC replacement, lighting and electrical upgrades, water heater replacement and ADA accessibility up to the threshold of the home. These repairs are offered at no cost to the homeowner.

To qualify for the program an individual must meet the following requirements:

  • Must live within the city limits of Bedford

  • Must be a single-family, owner-occupied home

  • Home must be insured

  • Home must be on a permanent foundation

  • Individuals must own their home or have a current mortgage

Additionally, an applicant must not exceed the annual gross income threshold for their number of residents in the home.

  • One person- $41,750

  • Two people - $47,750

  • Three people - $53,650

  • Four people - $59,600

  • Five people - $64,400

  • Six people - $69,150

  • Seven people - $73,750

Applications are subject to a scoring system, based on the following criteria:

  • Elderly household - two points

  • Disabled household - two points

  • Female head of the household - two points

  • Annual earnings equate to 50-60% of area median income - three points

  • Annual earnings equate to 40-50% of area median income - four points

  • Annual earnings equate to 30-40% of area median income - five points

  • Annual earnings equate to less than 30% of area median income - six points

Following the public hearing, the council approved the city to submit an application for the grant.

Forms for homeowners to apply to take part in the program can be obtained at City Hall, 1102 16th St.

In other business

The council voted in favor of amending a traffic ordinance, making 7 1/2 Street, from Lincoln Avenue to O Street, a one-way. Previously, only part of the street was designated as a one-way, with the rest assigned to be a two-way. According to Bedford Police Chief Terry Moore, after an evaluation, he discovered the roadway was only 12 feet wide and two-way streets are required to be at least 20 feet wide, according to city ordinances.

The council also voted to add stop signs in the North and South alleyway between 6 1/2 and 7 1/2 Streets at the request of Moore, who said there were driver safety concerns due to view obstructions around the road making it difficult to see oncoming traffic.

The council approved donations to local organizations for 2023, following requests made at last month's meeting of the council.

  • White River Humane Society: $52,000 requested, $37,400 approved

  • Boys and Girls Club: $35,000 requested, full amount approved

  • Lawrence County Economic Growth Council: $50,000 requested, full amount approved

  • Bedford Revitalization: $5,000 requested, full amount approved

  • Stone City Alliance for Recovery and Hope: $25,000 requested, $12,500 approved

  • Fathers Forever: $15,000 requested, no donation approved

  • Green Hill Cemetery: $68,000 requested, full amount approved

The amounts given to WRHS and Green Hill Cemetery are part of contractual agreements Bedford has with those groups, who provide services to the city.

Bedford Mayor Sam Craig noted that the council would potentially be willing to help groups fund capital projects presented to them throughout the year.

Board of Works and Safety meeting

The Bedford Board of Works and Safety approved a request from Bedford Street Commissioner David Flinn to purchase three pickup trucks and a mini truck for use by the department.

The board approved the promotions of Garrett Scherschel and Reid L. Marlow to permanent employees of the Bedford Fire Department. They both previously served in a temporary capacity.

James Landon Jones was approved by the board to to join BPD as a new officer, filling a vacant position within the department.

This article originally appeared on The Times-Mail: City Council discuss owner occupied home rehabilitation program