First-time buyers could get money towards their new home

UNIONTOWN - The Uniontown Redevelopment Authority passed a resolution this week that will allow a select few of first-time homeowners an opportunity to receive money towards their home.

The redevelopment authority and the Fayette County Community Action Agency (FCCAA) received $2,000 in grant money to pass along to people who qualify as new homeowners.

"There's quite a level of interest," said William Long, Executive Director of the redevelopment authority.

Long told the board of directors that people that are 80 percent of, or below, the median income of $39,000 for a family of four can qualify.

Currently there are eight potential first-time home buyers who would have to go through budget counseling and other types of training to become a homeowner, after which, if approved, they will receive a certificate by the FCCAA and would have to find a home that meets their mortgage.

After that, says Long, it's a first-come, first-serve basis.

Each "positive outcome" from the program will receive $500 each, which comes to around three to four individuals.

The board, however, was not enthusiastic and brought up many questions about the program.

They asked about the timeframe of the process and the screening process to make sure that the money goes to the right people and not to previous homeowners that failed at owning their home.

Some questions concerning the timeframe and if the money could be recouped, Long couldn't answer, but since the program is mandated by the federal government, the board had little choice in declining the resolution.

Long told the board that he would put together information on the program to give the board.

"It sounds too bureaucratic," said chairman Alvin Mundell.

In other business, the board planned to close its current band account at National City Bank and begin a new account with Smithfield Bank and shift the unrestricted funds from the First National Bank and National Bank to Smithfield Bank.

Long reported that it's in the best interest of the redevelopment authority to check the structure of The Heritage Apartments in Uniontown and getting it repaired and occupied as there was only smoke damage from a fire on the third floor two weeks ago.

Nobody was killed or injured in the fire, and the residents of the building were moved and set up in apartments in places like Marshall Manor and Beeson Court through the redevelopment authority.

Long thanked the efforts of many volunteers, many of which had to be turned away because of the overabundance of support.

Long said that it could be anywhere between two to six months until those resident could move back.

Also the redevelopment meeting: