If you would like details of the process, read on:

1) Code enforcement staff will identify up to 50 homes in the Douglass neighborhood that require code enforcement repairs to return the house to compliance with city property maintenance codes. These projects should have repairs requiring material costs less than $1,000 per house and be the homeowner’s primary residence.

2) Code enforcement staff will approach the owner of the property and discuss the repairs required. Under this project, the City will utilize CDBG funds and a grant from the Middletown Community Foundation to provide free materials to low income
homeowners to make required repairs. Berachah Church will supply the labor and expertise to complete the repairs.

3) If the homeowner would like to be part of the project, code enforcement staff will help homeowners complete the required paperwork for HUD compliance and release of the City and the Church from liability.

4) On Friday, April 9, 2010, the City will send over to the church a list of as many of the 50 project houses as we can complete by that date with the listing of required repairs and our listing of materials to complete repairs.

5) On Friday, April 16, 2010, the City will send over any of the remaining 50 project houses that were not sent on April 9.

6) Berachah Church tradesmen will then drive by each house and review the repairs and materials list and request any variations from the City list that they believe is necessary.

7) City staff will work with Berachah to complete an agreed material list for each house.

8) During the week of May 10-14, City staff will purchase the required materials for all 50 houses.

9) The projects will be staged at the Community Center multipurpose room by address. In addition, the City and Berachah will develop a list of standard materials that can be purchased in bulk for use, such as paint brushes, rollers, etc.

10) Starting on Thursday, May 13, most of the Community Revitalization staff will be at the Community Center in support of Berachah volunteers. Berachah volunteers must each sign a City volunteer waiver. Community Revitalization staff will be given comp time for time donated on Saturday and Sunday.

11) Berachah volunteers will load projects by house and go out into the neighborhood to complete repairs. If there are unforeseen problems, building inspectors Larry Tuttle and Tom Huiet will be on call to go to the project site and direct work.

12) When repairs are completed, we will have Com. Rev. pickup trucks available to pick up construction debris for proper removal and disposal. We may use the jail trustees for this task.

13) Berachah would like to have a celebration cook out/ gathering at the Community Center and Douglass Park Sunday evening May 16th for their congregation and the members of the Douglass neighborhood celebrating all the good work achieved over the four day period. Many other things are still taking shape. This project is one example of the types of projects that help improve our community image. If anyone has access to materials, volunteers, or anything else that would improve this project, please contact Doug Adkins, Director of Community Revitalization @ 513.425.1856 or via email mailto:douga@cityofmiddletown.org - douga@cityofmiddletown.org