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More than 400 homeowners in Wheeling will have a little more to be thankful for this holiday season, as city leaders' plan to provide up to $5,000 in federal COVID relief aid to help them improve their homes is moving forward.
City leaders just a few months ago developed the plan as a way to utilize the millions in American Rescue Plan funds that still reside in city coffers. This is an allowable use, and leaders expected about 40 homeowners to take advantage of the $5,000 grant.
They were wrong -- but in a good way. Instead of 40 applications, they received 517. Of those, 443 meet the eligibility requirements based on household income and having an estimate for the work to be completed.
That's going to require about $1.5 million total to fund, City Manager Robert Herron said. That's money well-spent, and the perfect example of the city utilizing this one-time funding -- if you recall, it started at more than $30 million, about the equivalent of one year's general fund budget -- to truly make a difference for the city.
"This program has exceeded my best expectations for its popularity," Mayor Glenn Elliott said. "For 517 people to apply for this program from across the community -- for a short period of time, we should at least ensure that funding is in place for people who have applied."
We agree.
Wheeling is an old city, and many of its homes have not seen updates in decades.
New homeowners may not immediately have the funds to purchase and install new windows or a new door, and providing assistance such as this could lead to a warmer winter and also one less stress point for families already struggling.
Wheeling City Council should fund this request from Herron as soon as possible.