The Columbus City Council approved a resolution this week to accept a federal Aging in Place Grant, administered through the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority. Robin Hilber, with the city’s Office of Community Development, says the grant is designed to help local homeowners, age 55 and older, stay in their homes…

This grant requires a 10-percent matching grant from the city, but $30,000 of local money is being set aside to help more households. Hilber told the council that the Office of Community Development expects to be able to help 14 qualified households. By increasing the city’s contribution, local officials say they hope to help an additional two households…

Hilber says that recipients are eligible to receive up to $15,000 for approved home improvements. She told the city council that the funds will be handed out to homeowners as three-year forgivable loans. Hilber says that if the recipient moves out of the home before the three years are up, they must pay back a pro-rated portion of the loan.

Hilber explains that the grant money has been repurposed from the historic flood of 2008…

The city council approved the request and the Office of Community Development will be meeting with grant recipients shortly.