PROPOSED CHAFFEE UPGRADES INSPECTED

CHAFFEE -- Word gets around quickly when Ronald Robinson comes to town.

"You can have trouble because people are always running scams," he said.

Robinson works as a housing inspector for the Bootheel Regional Planning Commission. And often his first task is to introduce himself to local law enforcement officials.

He was in Chaffee Wednesday to inspect two of the homes eligible for repair through a community development block grant.

The City of Chaffee received the $225,600 grant in July. Twenty-two homes in the city's Ward I are slated for repair.

The homes, located in the northeast part of town, were specifically targeted for renovations. Before being accepted to the program, homeowners must submit proof of ownership and meet income eligibility.

Robinson's job is to inspect each house and compile cost estimates for the renovations.

"It can be a little harder to administrate because people aren't paying for it, so they will be the devil's advocate," he said.

Each applicant is eligible for about $14,000 in repair costs, but estimates are usually less.

The repairs will not cost any homeowner, said Mayor Bill Cannon, adding that residents who missed a public meeting are still eligible for the program.

The first step after applying is a housing inspection. The preliminary inspections take about two hours to complete, Robinson said.

"We look for problems with the roof, doors, floors and foundations," he said.

The problems are detailed and then sent back to the planning office in Malden for cost estimates.

The city council must approve the inspections before bids can be awarded. Once the project is awarded to a contractor, it should be completed within 30-60 days.

"We are thrilled to death," Cannon said. "It's our first grant and we look forward to getting started."

The city council has already approved six of the homeowner applications.

The Bootheel Regional Planning Commission serves six counties in Southeast Missouri.