Redevelopment Authority of the City of Butler

Redevelopment Authority of the City of Butler

Since 1961, the Redevelopment Authority has dedicated programs for preservation of the residential neighborhoods for the citizens in the City of Butler.  One program offered by the RACB is the City Wide Rehabilitation Program, or "housing rehab" as it is often referred to.

Another program offered to the citizens of the City of Butler is the "Leadership by Example" program which is designed to financially assist property owners who wish to improve the outside appearance of their homes.  By participating in this program, you are not only increasing the value of your property, but improving the overall appearance of your neighborhood, one property at a time.

A popular program that has been a community success is the Modular Home Program of which the RACB has partnered with the Butler County Vocational School to literally build a new home for placement in a city lot.  Once the construction of the home is completed, the home will then be moved to a vacant lot.  After which, the RACB will then auction the home to a first time homebuyer or utilize as a rental unit.

Currently, the RACB is restructuring the organization while operating the existing programs, as well as, evolving new and innovative programs to reach out to the business community.

Introduction to the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Butler

Board Members/Staff

The Redevelopment Authority Board is comprised of 5 members:

George “Mike” Kelly, Chair
Nadine Tripodi, Vice Chair
James D. Cypher, Secretary
Rajiv Sawhney, Treasurer
Fred Reese, Assistant Secretary/Treasurer

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 Support staff members are:

Perry O'Malley - Interim Executive Director 

Veronica Walker - Property Finance Coordinator

Jim Paraska - Housing and Community Development Inspector

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Hours, location, meeting dates, ect.

Redevelopment office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., except holidays.

The office is located at 114 Woody Drive

Office telephone is 724-283-0116 and fax is 724-283-2522

Monthly board meetings are held on the second Thursday of the month at 2:00 p.m. in the Board room located at 114 Woody Drive.

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Programs of the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Butler

Leadership By Example

"Leadership by Example" is a program designed to financially assist property owners who wish to improve the outside appearances of their homes.  Eligible projects include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following:

(if your project does not fall into one of the above categories, please contact our office to discuss your plans, prior to your completing the application.)

Under the program guidelines, you may be entitled to a loan of up to $5,000 at an interest rate of 3%.  This loan is to be paid in monthly installments. The income restrictions to participate in the program are as follows:

# of People	Income not to exceed yearly
1 person	$ 31,000
2 people	$ 35,450
3 people	$ 39,900
4 people	$ 44,300
5 people	$ 47,850
6 people	$ 51,400
7 people	$ 54,950
8 people	$ 58,500

To qualify under the program guidelines, you must be the owner and occupant of a residential home (or a non-commercial) home within the city limits of the City of Butler.  Once approved, all property owners will be required to sign a Mortgage and/or Note.

A non-refundable application fee in the amount of $50.00 must be submitted with your application. Checks may be payable to the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Butler. Applications should be submitted on or before the 1st day of each month.

Please take a moment to print the attached application and if you have any questions you may contact Veronica Walker at 724-283-0116 ext: 225 or vwalker@zoominternet.net .

Program Instructions

Please carefully review and comply with the following instructions:

• Applications must be typed or legibly printed and all questions must be answered, if you need additional space, please use the back side of the application.

• Attach the following documents to your application:

  1. A copy of the Deed to the Property and Current Assessment Card

  2. Estimate(s) with detailed descriptions of project(s) from contractor and/ or contract for work.

• A non-refundable application fee in the amount of $50.00 must be submitted with your completed application.  Checks must be made payable to the: Redevelopment Authority of the City of Butler

• Applications must be received by the 1st day of the month to be considered by the Board Authority at the monthly Redevelopment Authority meeting.  Meetings are held the second Thursday of the month.

• Applications must be signed by all property owners and either mailed or hand delivered to the Redevelopment Authority office.  Faxed or e-mailed applications will not be accepted.

• It is the Homeowners obligation to obtain the necessary permits from the City of Butler and to comply with all applicable local and state codes, ordinances, and regulations.  The telephone for the City of Butler's Zoning office is 724-285-4124 ext. 213.

Work must be completed within forty-five (45) days of the homeowners receipt of the funds.

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City Wide Rehabilitation Program "Housing Rehab"

"Housing Rehab" is a grant program designated in all neighborhoods located within the City of Butler for those citizens who are eligible for the program income requirements.  Benefits of the program are numerous, however the main purposes are to instill pride in city homeowners, maintain and preserve neighborhood characteristics and upgrade public facilities.

Citizens are eligible for grants up to $16,000.

The home must be owned and occupied by the person applying for rehabilitation; therefore no rental units qualify for the program.  Homeowners must provide the necessary documents stating: ownership, income, age/identity, paid property tax receipts for previous and/or current year if applicable.  (The Redevelopment Authority will not rehabilitate a home if the owner intends to sell the home within 5 years.)

For more information regarding the rehabilitation process, please contact Jim Paraska 724-283-0116 ext: 222 or jparaska@hotmail.com .

Income Eligibility

Eligibility for the rehabilitation program depends upon the owner-occupants TOTAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME.  Income limits, as of January 2006, are provided in accordance with the federal limits and are as follows:

Please contact our office for those households who may have more than 8 people living together.

Program may change according to funding requirements.

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Family Housing Rental Units

Currently, the Redevelopment Authority administers 13 family housing rental units comprised of 2, 3, 4, and 5 bedroom units.  To qualify for a rental unit, a complete admission application must be completed including Landlord references, credit, and criminal background checks.

Please contact Veronica Walker at 724-283-0116 ext. 225 or vwalker@zoominternet.net for additional information and a list of current vacancies.

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This project was developed as a community project with the cooperation and support of the Butler Community College, Armstrong, City of Butler and the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Butler.  Programming was completed by Bryan Lang, design consultant was ADV/Marketing Associates.