Federal Money Pays for Springdale Home Renovations
By: Kyle Leyenberger
Updated: February 1, 2013
"We just never did work on it because we just seemed we couldn't get ahead." said Martin.
Now she's living on social security so when a problem pops up, like a set of leaking pipes, she needs serious help.
"They're going to take it all out and replace it all," explains Martin.
Removing and replacing this much pipe will likely cost more than $1000 and for someone on a fixed income, finding that kind of cash is tough, if not impossible," said Martin.
Don Hancock manages Springdale's Community Development Block grant program, using federal dollars to help low income homeowners fix up houses and make them more efficient.
"We had one homeowner,"Hancock told us, "they said the utility bill went down 100 per month. That could make a big difference, towards medicine, food or something else they really need."
Martin needed new pipes this week, but she's no stranger to the program. Last year the city replaced her windows, siding, doors and even her heating and air system all things she couldn't do on her own.
Said Martin,"I'd probably be wearing a coat all the time sitting in my house."


