WARREN — City Council on Wednesday moved to allocate $250,000 in American Rescue Plan funds annually to Trumbull Neighborhood Partnership for its emergency home repair program, with provisions for three yearly renewals.

Councilman Greg Greathouse, D-3rd Ward, said the program prevents costly cycles of abandonment and demolition.

“I’d rather spend $200,000 to fix your house now than $250,000 to tear it down in five years after you’ve left,” he said.

The city initially allocated $1 million in ARP funds to TNP in 2022, with more than $700,000 spent on repairs for 98 households to date. Greathouse said the funding would shift to the general fund post-ARP, subject to annual council approval.

Caitlyn Constantine, TNP’s home repair program coordinator, told council members the funds address urgent needs like roof replacements, furnace repairs and accessibility modifications. “The priority is keeping residents safely in their homes,” she said, noting 160 Warren households remain on the program’s waiting list.

To qualify, homeowners must occupy the property, stay current on taxes and meet income thresholds — up to 80% of the area median income, or roughly $40,000 for a two-person household.

Constantine said the city’s funding helps leverage matching grants.

“We stretch every dollar,” she added, citing furnace replacements as a winter priority.

During a caucus meeting, Councilwoman Helen Rucker, D-at Large, said she’d like to see a coordinated approach with other housing funds, particularly those managed by Community Development.

“We have money that’s not spent in Community Development and we need to bring everyone together to create a concise plan,” she said.

Rucker pointed out challenges with CD’s bidding process for contractors, which has caused delays.

“We don’t need to fool ourselves and think the hammer isn’t going to drop on federal funding soon. We need to pivot and use what we have wisely,” she added.

Councilman Todd Johnson, I-1st Ward, echoed Rucker’s call for a comprehensive housing repair and rehabilitation plan.

“We’d be far better off looking to the future if we had a committee meeting to streamline contractors, grants and funding sources,” he said.

Johnson stressed that while he supports the program, he wants to ensure the city’s resources are used efficiently.

“This should be part of a larger effort, not just a piecemeal approach,” he said.

Greathouse agreed to form a committee to address these concerns but stressed the need to be urgent.

“This can’t wait, health and safety issues need addressing now,” he said.

The ordinance passed under emergency status, allowing immediate effect. Funding renewals will require yearly votes.

The committee would include representatives from TNP and Community Development, among others.