Struggling homeowners in five local counties will be able to fix their houses through $9,232,136 in federal pandemic funds.

The COVID-19 American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Whole-Home Repairs Program is funneling $120,324,983 to Pennsylvania counties through the state Department of Community and Economic Development.

Locally, Carbon County will be allocated $1,046,437; Lehigh $2,707,531; Monroe $1,571,066; Northampton $2,277,659; and Schuylkill $1,629,443.

“The program will provide funding for countywide agencies to address habitability and safety concerns, provide measures to improve energy or water efficiency and make units accessible for individuals with disabilities. Additionally, this program provides funding to the counties for construction-related workforce development,” according to the Department of Community and Economic Development.

The funds will be available to homeowners whose household income does not exceed 80 percent of the area median income.

It will also make loans available to small landlords renting affordable units and securing those loans with a mortgage recorded against the residential property (with some provisions for loan forgiveness).

The money is desperately needed, said Schuylkill Community Action Executive Director David R. Young.

He’ll be talking about the program to county commissioners when they meet at 10 a.m. Dec. 7, the day they’ll formally apply for the money.

“I believe we have the oldest housing stock in the state, with a median year built of 1943,” he said.

Coupled with a high number of elderly residents, “the importance of these programs is increasingly vital,” Young said.

Schuylkill Community Action has two basic types of home rehabilitation programs.

One is the Senior Disabled Repair Program. Those funds help senior households with up to $7,500 to help fix failing major systems, such as roofs, electrical and other problems.

The program, funded through the Local Affordable Housing Trust Fund Act, also can help with installing ramps, walk-in or roll-in showers.

This year, the county received $122,000 in awards and expects to help 15 homes.

Schuylkill Community Action also partners with municipalities and the county for Community Development Block Grants and weatherization programs.

The way the rehabilitation programs work means Schuylkill Community Action puts liens on the homes to pay off the loans.

However, Young said, each year, 20 percent of the loan is forgiven, so it’s paid off in five years.

But, he said, it still worries some people, particularly the elderly.

“The idea of a lien sometimes scares people away. Elderly people don’t want to put the burden on their families,” Young said.

He also said that “we are in urgent need of contractors to help carry out the rehab work. Interested contractors can contact our office (at 570-622-1995) to speak to our Director of Housing and Community Development, Andrea Slotterback, to discuss requirements to bid on projects.”