Left, Mary Maxwell, Jamestown Renaissance Corp. neighborhood project director, discusses the Paint Jamestown program with the Jamestown City Council Housing Committee Monday. P-J photo by Dennis Phillips

An ongoing program is continuing to try and improve the look of city neighborhoods by providing funding to homeowners to paint their houses.

On Monday, Mary Maxwell, Jamestown Renaissance Corp. neighborhood project director, discussed the Paint Jamestown program with the Jamestown City Council Housing Committee. The program started in 2019 and has continued through 2020 and 2021. In past years, homeowners could receive up to 25% of the cost up to $2,500 for participating in the program by painting their home using historic color schemes. She added that for the program in 2022, homeowners are eligible to receive 30% of the cost up to $3,000.

During the first three years of the program, seven houses participated, with the total cost of the projects being $34,924, with homeowners paying $27,215 and the JRC $7,709, which is 22%.

For the 2022 program, Maxwell said eight homeowners have applied, which means if each spends $3,000 or more, the JRC would need $24,000. However, Maxwell said the JRC only has $15,500 for the program. She asked the council members for American Rescue Plan Act funds for the program, if it’s necessary.

The Jamestown Paint program takes place in the JRC’s Renaissance Block Challenge program target areas, which includes the Allen Park/UPMC Chautauqua and the north side of the city that includes neighborhoods along Buffalo, Kingsbury, North Main and Sturges streets and Euclid Avenue.

For more information, contact Maxwell at mary@jamestownrenaissance.org.

In other business:

¯ The council also heard from Joshua Freifeld, Chautauqua Home Rehab & Improvement Corp. (CHRIC) executive director, about a few of their grant programs that focus on rehabilitating houses and providing handicapped accessibility. He said the programs are aimed at helping senior citizens, veterans and the disabled. He added that CHRIC, through the years, has assisted in improving 700 houses in Jamestown.

Freifeld talked about three CHRIC programs that receive state funding. The programs include Restore, Access to Homes and Access to Heroes. He said applicants have to meet certain income requirements and also be up-to-date on their tax and mortgage payments and have housing insurance to participate in the programs. He added that a lien is also put on each property for three years to try and prevent the homeowner from selling the house after the renovations.

¯ The city of Jamestown will be hosting its 74th Annual Easter Egg Hunt from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 16, at Allen Park. Brent Sheldon, Ward 1 councilman, said this is the first time in three years the egg hunt has been held because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Last year, a drive-through candy handout was hosted by city officials.