If you are a Palmyra resident who has been putting off a small home improvement project for lack of funds, the Palmyra Improvement Association wants to help. The local nonprofit is spreading the word about its recently unveiled Home Exterior and Landscaping Program that aims to assist someone local finance a home project that will contribute to the beautification of the neighborhood.
“The whole idea was the origination of the PIA basically, this is what I always wanted to do,” said PIA president John Casparro. “The idea was to try to find ways to raise money for Palmyra.”
The reimbursement program starts with interested residents submitting ideas for exterior home improvement projects they would like to complete on their homes. A selection committee will review all applicants and make their selection based on a weighted criteria.
“It’s for people who want to do something but can’t,” said Casparro.
Whichever homeowner is selected will receive an award letter from the PIA. It will then be up to the homeowner to front the cost for the project. After the PIA has inspected the final product, the organization will reimburse the homeowner for the cost of the project up to $1,000, with a minimum project cost of $500.
The reimbursement money was raised through various fundraising efforts led by the organization over the past year.
According to officials, the purpose of HELP is to provide homeowners direct assistance, enhance the property and neighborhood’s image and character, inspire neighboring owners to consider exterior improvements, further community pride and create a visible, positive community impact.
Any homeowner living in Palmyra is eligible for the program. The application period began June 10 and will remain open until Monday, Aug. 12. Whichever applicant receives the award letter will have until May 31, 2020, to complete their project.
Ideally, the PIA hopes to help finance home improvements that restore the structure’s original character or transform the exterior like new. Some examples of eligible projects include masonry repair, repair to the building’s facade, painting, adding or replacing architecturally appropriate design elements or lighting, paving of driveways and/or walkways and landscaping projects.
Ineligible projects include any interior improvements, roofing or purchase of furnishings, equipment or other personal property that do not become part of the real estate.
According to Casparro, the selection committee will consist of residents from different areas around Palmyra to avoid any bias based on the location of an applicant.
“We’re trying to keep it as objective as possible,” said Casparro.
Applications will be weighed based on a specific criteria, including the homeowner’s contribution to the project, the property’s level of need, whether or not the project will aesthetically enhance or restore character to the immediate neighborhood, whether or not the project will add value to the home or surrounding neighborhood and the property’s proximity to commercial establishments, public parks, schools or heavily trafficked corridors.
According to PIA grant coordinator Kwan Hui, who helped establish the guidelines for the program, the PIA hopes to expand HELP in the future.
“Our goal is to see how this works, make sure it’s successful, and then use our success as a way to get more money from sponsorships, a bank or (grants) to help us give more to homeowners to make these exterior improvements,” said Kwan.
For a link to a full guidelines packet containing more information on the program as well as links to the application form, visit the PIA Facebook page at facebook.com/palmyraimprovement. Additional questions about the program can be directed to piagrants@gmail.com.
