The Albemarle Housing Improvement Program or AHIP is applying for a community development block grant from the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development to make improvements to the 130 homes in the Orchard Acres neighborhood.
If AHIP gets the grant from the state, homeowners could use the funds to improve their properties and make them more energy-efficient.
According to the AHIP documentation, "Funds could help repair or replace: roofs, siding, flooring, plumbing and electrical systems, windows, doors, insulation, heating/cooling systems. Funds could also address moisture and drainage problems, insulation and other weatherization needs and accessibility needs."
Crozet Community Advisory Council member, Tim Tolson, said many of the homes in Orchard Acres were built between the 1950's and 1960's.
"I think there's been a lot of new growth and new building and subdivisions out in Crozet but we don't want to forget the residents that have been there a long time," Tolson said.
So far, AHIP has received nearly 60 applications from homeowners.
Jennifer Jacobs is the executive director of AHIP and said there's still time to apply. "We really appreciate the opportunity to help the homeowners there make the neighborhood even better," she said.
Households have until the end of March to apply. Click here for more information and how to apply.
