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Dear Columbus Resident:
My name is Councilmember Hearcel F. Craig and I am the Chair of the Veterans Affairs Committee at Columbus City Council. More importantly, I am a Vietnam-era veteran having served in the United States Army.
In a continuing effort to better address the needs of Columbus veterans and their families, I sponsored an amendment to the 2012 Capital Budget to include a pilot program for the Southside called the Better Municipal Care for Veterans - Home Fund (BMCV-HF), which provides financial assistance to eligible homeowners for home improvements. This pilot project is intended to help up to eligible homeowners invest in exterior home improvements – up to $15,000 per home.
The Better Municipal Care for Veterans - Home Program represents City Council's commitment to serving the housing needs of our nation's heroes. Eligible homeowners are those homeowners who are a veteran or those homeowners with an eligible veteran who permanently resides in a household. The pilot project will help eligible homeowners located within the boundaries of the Southern Gateway Initiative, which have been established as: High Street on the west, Morrill Ave. on the north, Parsons Ave. on the East and Hosack Ave. on the south.
To implement this pilot project, the City has partnered with Community Development for All People, which is a faith-based, non-profit community development organization dedicated to creating a community that welcomes and cares for all people. CD4AP works to improve the economic, social and spiritual quality of life for residents of the South side. CD4AP renovates homes on the Southside and makes them available at a reduced cost to low-income buyers. This improves home-ownership and strengthens our community. The South Side Renaissance Home Repair Program assist homeowners with exterior repairs while facilitating pride and responsible ownership.
To apply for this exciting new project, please contact Rev. John Edgar, Pastor and Executive Director, Community Development for All People at 614-445-7342 or 946 Parsons Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43206. It’s easy to provide proof of eligibility. Simply present a government record denoting your other than dishonorable discharge or release from active military, naval, or air service.
I’m proud of the work Columbus City Council continues to do in honor of our nation’s veterans. If my office can be of assistance to you or if you have a new idea to help Columbus-area veterans, please call me at 614-645-7379.
Sincerely,
Hearcel F. Craig
