Deadline for next round of Price Hill grants approaching

Having awarded nearly $20,000 for eight projects in its first round, the Price Hill Will Building Blocks Micro-Grant Program is accepting applications for the next round of funding.

The deadline for this round of grants is September 19.

The program was launched by Price Hill Will and its Price Hill Housing Resource Center in May with funding obtained from the settlement of a lawsuit against illegal property flippers.

Building Blocks grants of up to $2,000 are available to improve the physical conditions of a block, series of blocks, or other contiguous area and can include:

• Unifying features such as lamps, hedges, or flower boxes on multiple properties
• Upgraded street signage
• Repairing curbs and sidewalks
• Installing trees in public rights-of-way and spaces
• Anything that will enhance the entire block, such as the demolition of a blighted building

Only residential streets are eligible, and applications must come from a consortium of residents within a geographic area.

“We have approved projects like trees, matching address plaques, flag sets, planters, solar lamps for yards and streets, and a community garden with bicycle coop,” says Matt Strauss, director of the Price Hill Housing Resource Center.  “We have also been the catalyst for $20,000 worth of matching grants.”

Price Hill Will is a comprehensive community development corporation specializing in community organizing, real estate development, and an emerging economic development component.

Writer: Kevin LeMaster
Source: Matt Strauss, director, Price Hill Housing Resource Center