Several applicants in Indiana have been awarded funds to help fight blighted homes.
According to the Lt. Governor’s office dozens of municipalities and counties received funds from the BEP, otherwise known as the Blight Elimination Program. Among those receiving dollars is Pulaski County.
Pulaski County Plan Commission Administrative Secretary David Weber spearheaded the effort. He was unavailable for comment.
Pulaski County will use its $90-thousand allocation to combat blight in the area.
According to the state, the program provides a chance for local governments to compete for funding to also eliminate vacant and abandoned homes. $75-million was made available through the program around the state.
The state of Indiana has one of the highest percentages of abandoned foreclosed homes in the country according to the report.
State officials say they program can help revitalize neighborhoods experiencing the damaging effects of blighted properties.
24-percent of Indiana’s foreclosed homes are abandoned.