The City of Washington is seeking funds to focus on rehabilitating homes neighboring the downtown square through a new program from the Iowa Finance Authority.

The council approved Tuesday night to apply for the home rehabilitation block grant pilot program, which is by invitation only. Mayor Jaron Rosien shared that Iowa Economic Development Authority Director Debi Durham, who recently toured the town, highly recommended the city to apply for this program which would focus on interior or exterior renovations of homes in a two-to-three block radius of downtown. The maximum amount that can be asked for is $1 million, and the city is seeking to receive $500,000 which requires a 25% match, which would come from the city’s low-to-moderate income funds. Both owner-occupied and rental units are eligible for these funds. City Administrator Deanna McCusker shared that East Central Iowa Council of Governments Housing & Community Development Director Tracey Achenbach will assist with the application.