MOORPARK : Home Rehabilitation Program Gets Started

A paint job, a new roof and a new driveway for one homeowner are all part of Moorpark’s first program to rehabilitate run-down homes downtown.

The Moorpark City Council approved a grant and loan covering about $14,000 worth of repairs for one downtown homeowner at a meeting Wednesday night.

Moorpark has about $500,000 of redevelopment agency funds to spend on the program, meant to help low-income residents make needed repairs to their homes.

As outlined, qualified homeowners could receive as much as $5,000 in grants and $10,000 in low-interest loans to make both interior and exterior repairs to their homes.

“So far I’ve only heard enthusiastic words about the program,” said Councilman Bernardo Perez.

Despite Perez’s positive report, the council also voted to have a committee review the program to ensure that city officials were not being too intrusive when making the loans.

The vote came after Councilman Scott Montgomery said city involvement in everything from cost estimates for repairs to bids on construction work undermines the power of residents to make decisions about repairs to their homes.

Several council members, including Perez, disagreed with Montgomery’s assessment but agreed to look into the charge.