A public hearing on the status of funded activities for housing rehabilitation from the Community Development Block Grant program was held during the Washington City Council meeting Tuesday.

East Central Iowa Council of Governments Planner/Grant Specialist Paula Mitchell explained that this public hearing is required by CDBG around the midway point of the program, for which $234,994 was awarded to the city from the Iowa Economic Development Authority with a release of funds issued on December 28, 2020. For expenditures to date through this March, a total of $53,232 has been invoiced, of which $32,870 was for construction and $20,362 was for grant administration and technical services. Construction items included the replacement of roofs, gutters, siding, windows, doors, and steps, as well as lead hazard reduction.

For remaining work, two properties have been rehabilitated, two are under construction, and two have recently received bids. Contracts are expected to be signed in the next 30 days for the two remaining projects, with a completion date of around July 15th. Mayor Jaron Rosien commented that the city greatly appreciates working with ECICOG and the return on investment the city receives.