CHILL Grant Funding Available to City Residents

The city has been awarded $423,500 for home improvement projects through the CDBG Housing Improving Local Livability (CHILL) grant from the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA). The purpose of this grant is to develop and preserve decent, affordable housing for use by low- and moderate-income families. The city has contributed $50,000 to this program, resulting in a total of $473,500 available for home improvement projects.Project selection criteria include:

Homes must be located within the Mt. Pleasant city limits.
Homes must be at least five years old.
Household income at or below 80% of the Area Median Income. ($51,000 for a family of 2).
Minimum funding for a project is $1,000.
Maximum funding for a project is $40,000.
Any project costing more than $10,000 shall be a zero interest, zero payment loan, forgivable after five years. Loans shall be secured by a second mortgage, forgiven in full at the end of five years.
The city’s project priority is to work with homeowners to repair or replace furnaces and water heaters.

The deadline for homeowners to apply is February 7, 2025. Grant funding applications can be found at www.mt-pleasant.org/chill or picked up at City Hall, 320 W. Broadway Street.

If you have any questions, or need application assistance, email Lauren Baker at lbaker@mt-pleasant.org.

Summary of Minutes of the Mt. Pleasant City Commission Meeting – 10/15/2024

Summary of Minutes of the regular meeting of the City Commission held Tuesday, October 15, 2024, at 7:00 p.m., in the City Commission Room, 320 W. Broadway St., Mt. Pleasant, Michigan with virtual options.

Approved the agenda as presented. Motion unanimously adopted.

Received petitions and communications.

Approved the following items on the Consent Calendar:

4) Minutes of the regular meeting of the City Commission held September 23, 2024.

5) Warrants and payrolls.

Approved a $90,000 Funding Allocation for 200 E. Broadway University Lofts Revitalization (Old Isabella Bank Building) and Placemaking (RAP) Grant Application.

Approved and conducted a Closed Session pursuant to subsection 8(c) of the Open Meetings Act for strategy and negotiation sessions connected with negotiation of a collective bargaining agreement.

Adjourned the meeting at 9:27 p.m.

City of Mt. Pleasant Receives MSHDA Grant for Home Exterior Improvement Projects

The City has been awarded a $50,000 Neighborhood Enhancement Program (NEP) grant through the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA). The purpose of this grant is to boost neighborhood aesthetics, improve property values, and enhance safety and quality of life for residents. The City has also committed up to $50,000 to this program, resulting in a possible total of $100,000 available for home exterior projects.

Since the program’s inception in 2020, 37 exterior household improvement projects, totaling $388,885.84, have been completed. Finished projects include roof repairs, porch and deck replacements, as well as window and door installations.

Project selection criteria includes:

Homes must be located within the boundaries of Pickard, Main, High and Isabella Street.
Single-family, owner-occupied homes whose taxes are up to date.
Exterior projects only.
Household income at or below 120% median income.
No outstanding code violations.
No prior tax foreclosure on property within the city limits.
Properties who were awarded funds in the past are not eligible.
Minimum funding for a project is $1,000.
Maximum funding for a project is $15,000.
Any project costing $10,000 or above, requires the homeowner to make a $250 contribution, or file a lien on the property for a period of five years for the full amount of the project.
If the property is sold during the five-year lien period, the owner of the home at the time of project completion is required to pay the full amount of the project back.

The deadline for homeowners to apply is March 26, 2024. Grant funding applications can be found at www.mt-pleasant.org/neighborhoods.

City of Mt. Pleasant offering home exterior improvement funding for second year

The City of Mt. Pleasant currently has $90,000 available for home exterior improvement projects. $60,000 is available to owner-occupied homes located in the city’s West Side Neighborhood which is bordered by the Chippewa River, Pickard Street, High Street/M-20 and the western city limits. The remaining $30,000 is available to all other neighborhoods located within the city limits.

The Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) recently awarded the City of Mt. Pleasant a grant totaling $30,000 to specifically assist homeowners in the city’s West Side Neighborhood. MSHDA provides financial and technical assistance through public and private partnerships to create and preserve safe and decent affordable housing, engage in community economic development activities, develop vibrant cities, towns and villages, and address homeless issues. The remaining $60,000 of funding is being provided by the City of Mt. Pleasant.

Selection criteria includes:

Single-family owner-occupied homes whose taxes are up to date.
Exterior projects only.
Household income at or below 120% median income.
No outstanding code violations.
No prior tax foreclosure on property within the city limits.
Properties who were awarded funds in 2020 are not eligible.
Minimum funding for a project is $1,000.
Maximum funding with no monetary contribution by owner is $7,499.
Maximum funding of $10,000 with 25% of monetary contribution by owner above $7500.

Deadline to apply is May 19, 2021. Grant funding applications can be found at www.mt-pleasant.org/neighborhoods