State awards funds for blight elimination
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – Seven communities and three counties around the state will receive state funding to demolish abandoned homes.
Lt. Gov. Sue Ellspermann made the announcement on Thursday that Indiana’s Blight Elimination Program awarded $4.3 million to remove abandoned and dilapidated homes around the state.
The named communities receiving the award include; Lebanon, Marion, Sweetser, Kokomo, Greens Fork, Hagerstown and Richmond. And the counties receiving the award include; Dearborn, Howard, and Warrick counties.
The awarded communities and counties can choose to use the award money to buy property, clean-up, re-do, or tear down property. Many recipients will use the money to demolish local properties that pose safety risks to neighborhoods.
Lieutenant Governor Sue Ellspermann, who chairs the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA) board, said, “With this additional round of funding, these neighborhoods are able to provide valuable end uses for even more properties, extending the reach and positive impact to the community and local economy.”
IHCDA estimates there are over 4,000 blighted Indiana residences that will be removed through the Blight Elimination Program this year.
To learn more and apply, visit www.877GetHope.org/blight.