13-02-2025
Emergency home repair program helps break difficult cycle
WARREN, Ohio (WKBN) — As costs rise, issues like a leaky roof or broken furnace can be pushed to the back burner but an emergency home repair program in Warren aims to help lift that burden.
However, the program requires more funding so those in need can have a roof over their heads.
'It's a cycle in Warren. People can't repair their homes, they move out. You know, it's a matter of should I buy food or can I fix the roof?' said Third Ward Councilman Greg Greathouse.
Greathouse wants to keep funding the Trumbull Neighborhood Partnership's Emergency Home Repair Program. It received $1 million in ARPA funding from the city two years ago and has spent about $700,000 of it on emergency repairs for people in the city. That includes roof and gutter repairs, furnaces, plumbing and accessibility modifications.
Greathouse says the program breaks a difficult cycle for people in need.
'They can't fix the house up, they move out of the house, the house sits vacant — then the house gets boarded up, then the house gets condemned and we then have to go find money to tear the house down. This stops that cycle at the very beginning,' Greathouse said.
Since 2023, the program has made 163 repairs in 98 households in Warren. The average income of those households is just over $23,000.
Currently, the Trumbull Neighborhood Partnership has 160 homes on the waitlist for its emergency repair program and those with the program say they need more funding to help get these people out.
'We'd like to continue that partnership with the city. They see the good investment it does and the housing stock keeping people living there safely. With that investment, we can continue getting through our waiting list,' said program coordinator Caitlyn Constantine.
Greathouse would like to authorize an additional $250,000 for the program with up to three yearly renewals.
'It's a wonderful program. It will keep people in their homes, make the necessary repairs. It's money well spent. I'd rather spend $250,000 on fixing out homes than $250,000 tearing down homes,' Greathouse said.
The proposal was set for a committee meeting so TNP could answer more questions. Greathouse hopes the legislation will pass after that.
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