Limerick keeps housing rehab program alive for another year

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The current base rate of $38 could jump to $70 when the rate freeze enacted as a condition of the sale expires, according to documents filed as the sale was being considered by the Public Utility Commission.

Despite rising administrative costs, the Limerick Supervisors have decided to keep alive for at least one more year a federally funded housing rehabilitation program that has helped township residents for more than 20 years. Escalating administrative costs are causing the township to spend its own money to meet the demands of the red tape, he told the supervisors last month.

There are many rules — prevailing wage, ensuring women- and minority-owned businesses are among the bidders, requirements that contractors hire low-income workers for the project — Kerr explained.

These rules, however well-intentioned, increase the cost of a project, writes Evan Brandt in the Pottstown Mercury.

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Kerr told the supervisors that it was staff’s recommendation to withdraw from the program and township residents could participate in a similar program operated by Montgomery County.

“Let’s give it another year and take a look at it again,” said Supervisor Ken Sperring Jr., which became a motion that was unanimously approved by the supervisors.

With State Rep. Tom Quigley, R-6th Dist., in the audience, Supervisors’ Chairwoman Elaine DeWan took the opportunity to put him on the spot and outline the ways the red tape is killing a program that has benefited many Limerick residents over the years — things like requiring prevailing wage for small projects and rules which require an entire home be brought up to code rather than just fix the problem.

To read the complete story click here.

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