Federal funding is now available to Henry County residents in need of home repairs, and county officials are trying to get the word out to those who might be eligible.

The federal government is investing about $1 million this year in a program that allows Henry County government to disperse funds among low-to-moderate income individuals and communities in need. It is made possible through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, for which Henry County became eligible in 2012 when its population passed the 200,000 mark.

County employees are standing by to review applications for federal funding for a wide variety of home repairs, according to officials, and those who meet a few select criteria can apply immediately and get a response within a month.

“We disburse the money in three ways,” said Stacey Wallace, a rehab advisor and one of three county employees who helps oversee the grants. “There are infrastructure investments and a variety of public services. But we also offer important housing support — investments that are particularly important as we head into the holidays at a time when many are struggling financially.”

In this case, the term ”housing support” can take on many forms.

“It can be septic tank repair or replacement. Or perhaps accessibility improvements like ramps and grab bars for those living with a disability,” said Wallace. “We focus mostly on health and safety. If lead paint is a concern, we address that. If heating or air is a problem, particularly in the warmer and colder months, we’ll repair or replace those units.”

All of the above is administered by the county in conjunction with two nonprofit partners: Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity and National Community Resources and Development. The grants can total up to $15,000 per household depending on repair type. To qualify, residents cannot have any liens on their property and must be living on low-to-moderate income, capped by the federal government at $77,100 for a household of four.

“For those that meet these requirements, all they need to do is submit an application to the County,” Wallace said. “The materials are then reviewed, and a home visit performed before a determination of award amount is made, a process that usually takes a month or less.”

Yet, while there is no shortage of applications sitting on Wallace’s desk, there remain numerous local residents who could benefit from the CDBG program but have not yet tried to take advantage. Wallace thinks there are a few main reasons this is happening.

“Our biggest challenge is awareness. We do our best to market these offerings but it’s difficult in a county growing as quickly as ours. But I think there’s also a stigma associated. Some are afraid to ask for help. Others misunderstand the lien tied to the grant and don’t trust it.”

While a CDBG grant does put a lien on your property, the amount is entirely forgiven after a 5- or 10-year affordability period depending on the size of the award. The only exception is in cases where people move, in which case they owe a prorated amount back.

“It’s just a protection against those that might effectively use government assistance to flip a house and move elsewhere,” Wallace said. “This isn’t an HGTV home makeover. We give out these federal grants because we want to stabilize neighborhoods. We want people to stay in their homes and continue to enrich our community.”