Seeking to improve the aging housing in the county, the Schuylkill County Commissioners voted to seek a $374,180 grant for The Home Investment Partnership program Wednesday.

“Schuylkill County has the oldest housing stock in Pennsylvania,” Dave Young, executive director of Schuylkill Community Action, said.

The application is made to the state Department of Community and Economic Development, which would get the funds from the federal government. If approved, the money will go toward fixing code violations for homeowners who applied through the Schuylkill Weatherization and Deferral program.

“We are targeting 10 households,” Young said, adding there are people on a list for the program.

Once those code violations are rectified, the homeowners can have their home weatherized. Requirements including income limits apply.

Young said a significant number of homes in the weatherization program require costly improvements.

In 2018, the county received a $471,622 grant funneled from the federal government through DCED for the weatherization program. In all, 12 properties were fixed, although the goal was 18.

“Some had significant code violations,” Young said, adding some rehabilitations were more than $50,000.