Early in 2007, a grant application went to the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) from the Oak Bluffs selectmen seeking monies to allow low and moderate-income homeowners on the Vineyard to address code, safety and health deficiencies in their residences. The funds for this moderate home rehabilitation program originate in Washington, D.C. at the Department of Housing and Community Development (HUD).

Towns then compete for the funds by submitting grants to the DHCD. The 2007 grant submitted by Bailey Boyd Associates of Harwich on behalf of the Oak Bluffs selectmen was successful. The Department of Housing and Community Development awarded just over $620,000 to be spent in Oak Bluffs and Tisbury in calendar year 2008.

Since 2002 approximately $3 million in grants helped the owners of 175 housing units address code, safety and health violations, including septic systems, insulation, roofs, windows, heating systems and foundations.

Participants must meet income qualifications under HUD guidelines. The program is for owner-occupied primary residences. Second homes or rental properties are not eligible.

The Resource Inc. (TRI) is a nonprofit company that oversees the program on behalf of the Oak Bluffs selectmen. Ted Amaral is the program manager. His telephone number is 508-696-3285.

In order to explain the current program and to judge public interest as to whether a grant application for the following year would be appropriate, Mr. Amaral has appeared at several public events in recent weeks.

Prior to the Oak Bluffs council on aging Christmas party on Dec. 19, he will be available at 11 a.m. at the council’s Wamsutta avenue location.

He will be at the Tisbury council on aging on Dec. 20 at 9:30 a.m. and Dec. 27 at 10 a.m.