Champaign County has been awarded an $800,000 Community Housing Impact and Preservation (CHIP) grant from the Ohio Development Services Agency.

The grant consists of $417,000 of federal Home Investment Partnership Funds, $283,000 of federal Community Development Block Grant Funds and $100,000 in State Ohio Housing Trust Funds.

The CHIP funds will be used to provide home repair assistance to approximately 35 low-income households located anywhere in Champaign County. Funds will also help Champaign County Habitat for Humanity build two homes.

A total of $420,000 will enable the rehabilitation of 10 homes owned and occupied by low- to moderate-income homeowners. Rehabilitation activities may include roofs, gutters, HVAC, plumbing, electrical, structural and handicapped access improvements.

The assistance will be provided through a five-year, 100 percent deferred forgivable loan. Another 20 low-income homeowners will be eligible for 100 percent grants to address one or two home repair needs utilizing $210,000 of the CHIP grant.

Approximately $30,000 in home repair funds will be available through a one-to-one match for investment properties occupied by low-income tenants. This will enable repairs for five rental units.

The county will provide $40,000 to Champaign County Habitat for Humanity to help build two homes that will be owned by low-income homeowners.

The balance of the grant funds will be used for implementation, administration and fair housing services.

Residents interested in obtaining an application for the assistance or learning more about the program should contact the Champaign County CHIP office, 937-652-5158. Assistance is provided on a first come, first served basis. All work must be completed by September 2017.