Officials in North Vernon are considering applying for a grant that is aimed at helping keep area seniors in their homes. The North Vernon City Council was approached with the idea of applying for the “Aging in Place” grant during its meeting Monday night.

Debra Lilly, with the Administrative Resources Administration, helped the city in obtaining its Stellar Community grant funding. She says that North Vernon seniors would benefit from this new grant opportunity. Though the grant is “highly competitive,” Lilly says that trying to obtain the funding would be a net positive for the community.

The grant is federal in nature and supplies funding to residents age 50 and older for needed repairs and remodeling that will allow the resident to continue living in the home. The grant requires a 10 percent matching grant from the city, which can be covered by area non-profit groups. Lilly suggested the city apply for $300,000. With a limit of $15,000 per household, she says that a minimum of 18 to 20 homes could benefit.

Along with the matching local monies, Lilly says that there are some restrictions on the funding. She explained that, along with the age requirement, there is also an income limit. Lilly says that is to ensure that the neediest of the community are helped. In addition, any home that receives funding must be owner-occupied and the resident must live their for a minimum of three-years after the work is completed. If the home is sold within three years, the homeowner must pay back a pro-rated portion of the grant.

Members of city council said they were interested in the idea, but weren’t sure that they have the money available to cover the city’s portion of any grant it may receive. The body indicated that it may be a better idea to wait on applying until next year when they can budget for it. The council voted to table the request until its next meeting to see if Clerk-Treasurer Shawn Gerkin could scrape up the necessary funding.