Winona Has Funds For Housing

WINONA LAKE - The Winona Lake Housing Authority reported Tuesday that they have a significant amount of money to spend on housing rehabilitation.

"We have approximately $166,000 yet to spend on Winona Lake for housing rehab," Bob Murphy, owner of R.P. Murphy and Associates, said.

Murphy also said they have one new application right now that came in this week.

But, he said, they still need a considerable number of applications, "probably in the neighborhood of nine or 10 more. Hopefully, next month we'll have a few more to take action on."

In other business:

• Housing Authority members approved partial payment to Pete Gross General Contracting of Warsaw for $4,000.

The approved payment is for work done on a home on Wooster Road.

Work by Gross included window and tile installation, realignment and trimming of the front door, door and bathtub faucet repair kit installation and completion of a ceiling.

"The homeowner requested tile that was unavailable and a certain type window," Murphy said. "I agreed that an increase could be made."

Murphy said the final cost will not be available until next month's meeting.

"Gross has done an excellent job," Murphy said. "Also, I have requested a price for upgrading the electric from 60 to 200 amps."

He is anticipating an increase of approximately $1,500.

Murphy will have a price for the 200 amps at next month's meeting.

• New income limits for Kosciusko County also were discussed by the Housing Authority.

"Normally these come out in the first of February," Murphy said. "HUD (Housing and Urban Development) was slow this year and they didn't get them out until about the 20th of March."

Murphy said this changes the income of the individuals that can participate in the Winona Lake and Warsaw housing rehabilitation.

"A four-person household can make up to $36,800 for participation in this program," Murphy said.

This is the maximum for a family of four to participate and is considered low to moderate income.

• The Housing Authority now has more paperwork to sign.

"Beginning this month, we have claim forms," Murphy said.

The claim forms are required for members of the Housing Authority to sign and then submit to the Winona Lake Town Council for approval.

The forms will be attached to each housing contract.

• Housing Authority members also reviewed current contracts.

"We are scheduling all payments to start either July 1 or January 1," Murphy said.

He said any homes they are finishing now will not start payments until July first.

Murphy updated other members on the status of homes under construction.

The home on School Street "has been completed and they've started making payments," Murphy said.

He also commented on the home on Bibler Avenue: "That is probably 90 percent completed, or at least 50 percent."

He said the roof and patch-work are completed.

Murphy said they are still waiting on completion of paperwork for a house on College Avenue. Once the paperwork is finished, they will acquire a notice to proceed.

Murphy said work on a home on Wooster Road has been completed.

Last week, Murphy said, they held a contractors' meeting on the house on Fifteenth Street and are now waiting on additional information from a contractor.

Electrical work and three windows need to be added to the original bid.

Murphy said the house on Thirteenth Street has had environmental clearance but they still need to hold a preconstructional meeting.

Estimates are still being pursued for homes on Wooster Road and Chestnut Avenue.

"The contractors all know what they are to do," Murphy said. "We should be started on those probably in the next two to three weeks or so, depending on the weather."

The Winona Lake Housing Authority consists of: president Jim Zielasko, vice president Don Fluke, secretary Lisa LeMasters, Bob Murphy, Jim McCleary, Craig Snow (council representative) and Rusty Koenigshopf.