Catherine Taylor’s home needed repairs, and she couldn’t afford them. Unfortunately, the city’s Community Development Office couldn’t remedy the problems, either, said Carol Nawrocki, the office’s director

.The allotment of Community Development Block Grant money set aside for housing rehabilitation is far less than the amount needed by local residents, she said.

Community Development Block Grant funds come to cities across the country by way of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. This year, Elyria received a little less than $790,000.

With more than $1 million in requests, city officials recommended budgeting $236,160 for rehabilitation. That’s down from $295,000 in 2007.

“Our emergency funds have been depleted, and the wait list to get any type of housing rehabilitation is two to three years,” Nawrocki said. “The problem is there is just not enough money to meet the demand.”

Taylor, according to city records, has not been helped by the city, nor has she applied.

Beyond block grant funds, Nawrocki said residents can look to Lorain County Community Action Agency or Warm Choice for help with weatherization and heating concerns. Both have separate income and residential requirements that must be met for eligibility.

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