Otsego County Receives Grant to Rehab Mobile Homes

Otsego County was recently awarded a Federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) to rehabilitate mobile homes owned and occupied by low and moderate income individuals and families. This is the first time a CDBG grant has been given exclusively to rehabilitate mobile homes.

The County’s recognition of how important and widespread manufactured housing has become as a means of affordable home ownership led to its persistence over the past four years in applying for this housing rehabilitation funding. Two main objectives were spelled out in the application: 1) to ensure the long-term viability of existing mobile homes as permanent and affordable housing, and 2) to provide accessibility modifications for disabled individuals and to help household members aging in place. In addition to general renovation and accessibility modifications, improvements will be made to maximize energy efficiency.

A large number of requests for this rehabilitation opportunity are expected. Owners who participated in surveys used to plan the proposal will be contacted directly. Other interested parties should contact the project manager Otsego Rural Housing Assistance (ORHA) at 607-286-7244. Initial calls will be received only for basic contact information. Follow up calls will be placed to qualifying households for more details. Work is not expected to begin until spring and will progress according to priorities set forth in the project description. Disability-related modifications and aging-in-place improvements receive first priority. All funds are to be spent over a two year contract term. More information here.