CASPN Homes seeks grant for capital needs

ASHEBORO — The Asheboro Housing Authority has asked the City of Asheboro for help in acquiring a grant to meet capital needs at CASPN Homes.

The affordable apartments at 945 S. Church Street are owned by the AHA and the nonprofit Wainman Homes. The complex opened in 1998 with one-bedroom apartments for low-income residents aged 55 and older. It has 50 units plus one more for a resident employee of the AHA. 

Bob Lawler, executive director of the AHA, told the City Council on June 26 that Wainman Homes had carried out a capital needs assessment earlier this year through Stogner Architects of Rockingham. The firm came up with a lengthy list of general building needs, including interior and exterior improvements. The cost of the improvements is estimated at $1.6 million but AHA maintenance crews have begun working on some of the projects and completed several.

The AHA wants to pursue a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) through the state but will need the city to approve and participate in the application. The grant would be for up to $950,000. 

Lawler said the city would be the applicant and would need to hold two public hearings, as required by the CDBG program. AHA and Wainman Homes would assume the costs of the application. Lawler said the due date is Sept. 30. 

The City Council took no action but agreed to allow city staff to study the proposal. It will likely be on the agenda of the council’s July 13 meeting.