Need home repairs? Forest Park offers $10K grants for homeowners

FOREST PARK, Ga. - Home is where the heart is and, for 69-year-old JoAnn "Jay" Evans, her Forest Park home has had her heart for the last decade.

"A home is not like an apartment, they’re not like cars," Evans said. "If something goes down in your home, that’s a big expense."

Over the years, several things needed an upgrade, but she is on a fixed income, so that made things hard.

That changed when the city of Forest Park launched a home repair program.

Using American Rescue Plan money, the city is giving away up to $10,000 grants to homeowners who need to make repairs and modifications.

"We need this as homeowners, renters can get anything they need. All you have to do is call the owner. Homeowners, we're responsible for everything," Evans said.

Evans’ home was one of more than 60 fixed up during phase one of the program, which targeted homeowners 62 and older.

"Because of the city of Forest Park, I would not have been able to afford this," Evans said.

Evans got new flooring, a water heater, and window screens.

"When the city of Forest Park can give you money, $10,000, and you do not have to pay it back, do you not know how much of a Christmas present, birthday, Mother's Day, Father's Day present that is," Evans said.

Phase two of the program launched on Black Friday and so far, more than 50 have applied. The city is accepting applications until Dec. 31 for residents aged 18 to 61 to help cover the cost of eligible repair work, including HVAC, roofing issues and more.

"Not only are we allowing them dollars to do some of those necessary repairs, we're also in the long-term hoping that through some of those repairs, it reduces some of the utility calls for everyday living for our residents," said Forest Park City Manager Ricky Clark Jr.

For Evans, the upgrades are not only great right now, but it is helping build generational wealth so she can pass the home down to others in her family.

"When they are giving me $10,000 that you don't have to pay back, in this day and age right now, that's a big help," she said.

For information on how to apply, click here.