The city of Rutland, Vermont, is getting a $1.25 million grant to help blighted properties and create home ownership opportunities.
The Vermont Community Development Program funding will be used by NeighborWorks of Western Vermont in partnership with the Rutland Redevelopment Authority to assess vacant and abandoned properties in targeted areas to determine if they can be saved.
NeighborWorks will buy and repair up to seven buildings and provide down payment assistance and housing and counseling services to increase home ownership.
The funding comes from about $6.5 million Vermont receives annually in Community Development Block Grant funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Governor Peter Shumlin announced the grant Monday.
Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
