BELL GARDENS : City Will Help Pay Home Repairs

The City Council has approved $100,000 to fund a program that pays homeowners in selected areas up to $2,500 for fixing up their homes and yards. The program is scheduled to start at the end of the month.

Three neighborhoods were targeted for cleanup and repairs. Other areas may be added if the project is successful, said John Carmona, acting director of community development. The areas were chosen because city crews already are working on improvement projects of parks and other public facilities, he said.

More than 700 houses and rental properties will be eligible for reimbursement of up to half the cost of repairs, depending on a property owner’s income. Absentee owners could also qualify for a one-time rebate ranging from 20% to 50% of the cost of repairs, Carmona said.

Some repairs eligible for rebates include painting houses and installing fire detectors, sprinkler systems and security doors. All work has to be approved in advance by city officials to be eligible for the rebate, Carmona said.

Starting Oct. 29, applications will be available at City Hall, 7100 Garfield Ave.

The northern area is bounded by Watcher and Agra streets, and Ajax and Colmar avenues. The southern area is bounded by Gotham and Shull streets, and Eastern and Bell Gardens avenues. The central area is bounded by Fosterbridge Boulevard, Live Oak Street, Scout Avenue and Perry Road.