Four companies approved to inspect CHIP program homes
Old homes often have unseen health hazards in them, such as lead-based paint, bug issues and furnaces that do not meet state codes.
The Holmes County Commissioners recently passed a resolution accepting bids from four companies which will serve as safety inspectors for the upcoming Holmes County Planning Commission Community Housing Improvement Program (CHIP) renovation program, which will help alleviate these issues from those participating in the program.
The resolution is part of a program which will help renovate aging homes throughout Holmes County. The private rehabilitation dollars are offered to clients through a series of rankings, which include inspecting the structure of a home, and all utility conditions such as water, sewer and electric. The home repairs and emergency monthly housing payments are on a first-come, first-serve basis, while Habitat funding is chosen by the Habitat committee.
The four bids for the home inspections included a proposal for lead clearance from Accurate Analytical Testing LLC, in the amount of $1,000 per testing site; a contract for lead inspection and risk assessment from Hina Environmental Solutions LLC, of $750 per project; a proposal for furnace inspections from Pepper’s Plumbing in the amount of $145 per inspection; and inspection for pest control went to Bugs R Gone, in the amount of a free inspection fee, a $150 set-up, $20 per bait station, a $75 return inspection and insect control materials fee of $25.
The inspection program was set up through the Holmes County Planning Commission, and is being paid for through CHIP dollars.
According to Mary Hoxworth, Holmes County Planning Commission assistant, homes qualifying for rehabilitation through the program will have their homes inspected for lead and insects by gleaning samples from walls and window sills. If the homes are found to be within the acceptable range, no further action will be necessary. To test for lead quantity, a rehabilitation specialist takes sample swipes of paint around windows and the sample is sent to a clearance company, which in turn makes the determination of how much lead is in the home.
“It’s really important to have these older homes in need of repair tested, especially if the family has children,” said Hoxworth. “If one of the four agencies we have hired finds something, then it will be up to the general contractor we have hired to work on the home to safely make the necessary renovations. These are all very credible companies which will do a good job in each of the four phases.”
With a total of $228,000 available to use for the home renovation project, Hoxworth said that the Planning Commission will be looking to work on perhaps five houses. In addition, they also have $112,000 set aside just for home repair, and the initial qualifying home begins in the Big Prairie-Lakeville area.
“While anyone throughout Holmes County can apply for the home improvements, we targeted the Big Prairie-Lakeville area first,” said Hoxworth.
In doing so, Hoxworth said that they went door-to-door in that area, announcing that the home improvement CHIP program was available, held a meeting at the Lakeville Fire Department which was open to anyone, and advertised on radio and in local newspapers.
“It’s a very worthwhile program that helps a lot of people who otherwise might not be able to make some necessary renovations to their homes,” said Commissioner Rob Ault. “The Planning Commission has done a very good job of seeking out people who will benefit from this project.”
For the home repair portion of the program, the grant will pay for the majority of the renovation costs. The owner must pay only 15 percent, which will be paid back, as long as they meet the lone stipulation being that they must remain there for at least five years.
Rentals are also considered for the program, but owners must pay a 60/40 split on all rentals and duplexes. Hoxworth said that they have enough set aside for two rental projects.
Any applicant must meet the proper income guidelines, and mobile homes are not eligible for renovation through the program.
The Holmes County Commissioners recently passed a resolution accepting bids from four companies which will serve as safety inspectors for the upcoming Holmes County Planning Commission Community Housing Improvement Program (CHIP) renovation program, which will help alleviate these issues from those participating in the program.
The resolution is part of a program which will help renovate aging homes throughout Holmes County. The private rehabilitation dollars are offered to clients through a series of rankings, which include inspecting the structure of a home, and all utility conditions such as water, sewer and electric. The home repairs and emergency monthly housing payments are on a first-come, first-serve basis, while Habitat funding is chosen by the Habitat committee.
The four bids for the home inspections included a proposal for lead clearance from Accurate Analytical Testing LLC, in the amount of $1,000 per testing site; a contract for lead inspection and risk assessment from Hina Environmental Solutions LLC, of $750 per project; a proposal for furnace inspections from Pepper’s Plumbing in the amount of $145 per inspection; and inspection for pest control went to Bugs R Gone, in the amount of a free inspection fee, a $150 set-up, $20 per bait station, a $75 return inspection and insect control materials fee of $25.
The inspection program was set up through the Holmes County Planning Commission, and is being paid for through CHIP dollars.
According to Mary Hoxworth, Holmes County Planning Commission assistant, homes qualifying for rehabilitation through the program will have their homes inspected for lead and insects by gleaning samples from walls and window sills. If the homes are found to be within the acceptable range, no further action will be necessary. To test for lead quantity, a rehabilitation specialist takes sample swipes of paint around windows and the sample is sent to a clearance company, which in turn makes the determination of how much lead is in the home.
“It’s really important to have these older homes in need of repair tested, especially if the family has children,” said Hoxworth. “If one of the four agencies we have hired finds something, then it will be up to the general contractor we have hired to work on the home to safely make the necessary renovations. These are all very credible companies which will do a good job in each of the four phases.”
With a total of $228,000 available to use for the home renovation project, Hoxworth said that the Planning Commission will be looking to work on perhaps five houses. In addition, they also have $112,000 set aside just for home repair, and the initial qualifying home begins in the Big Prairie-Lakeville area.
“While anyone throughout Holmes County can apply for the home improvements, we targeted the Big Prairie-Lakeville area first,” said Hoxworth.
In doing so, Hoxworth said that they went door-to-door in that area, announcing that the home improvement CHIP program was available, held a meeting at the Lakeville Fire Department which was open to anyone, and advertised on radio and in local newspapers.
“It’s a very worthwhile program that helps a lot of people who otherwise might not be able to make some necessary renovations to their homes,” said Commissioner Rob Ault. “The Planning Commission has done a very good job of seeking out people who will benefit from this project.”
For the home repair portion of the program, the grant will pay for the majority of the renovation costs. The owner must pay only 15 percent, which will be paid back, as long as they meet the lone stipulation being that they must remain there for at least five years.
Rentals are also considered for the program, but owners must pay a 60/40 split on all rentals and duplexes. Hoxworth said that they have enough set aside for two rental projects.
Any applicant must meet the proper income guidelines, and mobile homes are not eligible for renovation through the program.
Published: February 22, 2011
