NORWOOD – The village is applying for a new federal housing rehabilitation grant for $400,000 and is holding the first of two hearings on the application at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 9 in the Norwood Library, 1 Morton St.

In 2008, the Norwood was awarded $400,000 from the Small Cities Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program for a housing rehabilitation project. Mayor Jim McFaddin says the success of that program and continued need in the village has led him and the village board to ask the St. Lawrence County Planning Office to prepare a second application.

“The last grant truly improved the quality of life for the participants and improved the appearance of our village as well,” McFadden said.

The 2008 grant was applied to bringing 14 village houses up to standard condition.

The CDBG program can provide funds for a variety of projects including housing, economic development, community facilities and removal of slums and blight. To be considered for funding, a project must principally address the needs of low- and moderate-income persons.

The village is asking all low- and moderate-income residents who need assistance making repairs to their homes to contact the North Country Housing Council (formerly known as the St. Lawrence County Housing Council) at 386-8576.

A survey team from the St. Lawrence County Planning Office will contact these individuals to develop information on household composition, income levels, housing conditions, and so forth, to prepare an application that accurately reflects housing conditions in Norwood. The Planning Office wants to assure residents that all information will be kept confidential.

The Feb. 9 public hearing will provide residents with information about the program. program.

A second public hearing will be held on Thursday, April 7 at 6 p.m., also at the Norwood Library. At that hearing, residents will be given more detailed information about the application.

The County Planning Office invites all contractors interested in working with this proposed housing rehabilitation program to also contact the North Country Housing Council at 386-8576 if they are not yet on the Housing Council’s contractor list. Planner John Tenbusch says, “We want this housing rehabilitation project to benefit area contractors and businesses as well as the residents living in the housing units that receive assistance. Compiling a list of potential contractors now will help us to get off to a quick start if this grant is funded.”