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Pinellas homeowners can get zero-interest loan for major repairs

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Pinellas County is seeking new qualified applicants for the Home Repair Loan Program, which can provide up to $55,000 in a zero-interest loan for windows, roofs, air conditioning and other critical repairs.

Additionally, the County has recently increased its Independent Living Grant for homeowners to add accessibility improvements like wheelchair ramps or grab bars, with up $20,000 now available.

Homeowners who make up to $48,650 as an individual annually ($69,500 for a famliy of four) can qualify for both programs to make improvements to their primary residence.

The programs are available for homes in unincorporated Pinellas and most cities, except for Belleair, Largo, Clearwater and St. Petersburg; residents in these areas can check with their cities for similar assistance.

Home Repair Loan Program (Zero-interest loan up to $55,000)


•Roof – including soffit/fascia
•Windows and exterior doors
•Air conditioning/heating
•Housing Code related electrical upgrades
Independent Living Program (Accessibility Grant up to $20,000)
•Wheelchair ramps
•Railing
•Bathroom grab bars
•Tub to shower conversions
•Walk-in or roll-in showers
•ADA-approved toilets
•Door widening
•Other improvements to promote barrier-free housing

To qualify for either program, the applicant’s home cannot exceed a just value of $375,000 based on valuation of the Pinellas County Property Appraiser.

Spanish

El Condado Pinellas busca nuevos solicitantes para el Programa de Préstamos para Reparaciones del Hogar, que puede ofrecer un préstamo sin intereses de hasta $55,000 para ventanas, techos, aire acondicionado y otras reparaciones urgentes.

Además, el Condado aumentó recientemente el Subsidio de Vida Independiente para que los dueños de casas puedan hacer mejoras de accesibilidad, como rampas para sillas de ruedas o barandas, y ahora el subsidio es de hasta $20,000.

Los dueños de casas que ganan hasta $48,650 al año como un individuo ($69,500 para una familia de cuatro) pueden calificar para ambos programas para hacer mejoras en su residencia principal.

Los programas están disponibles para las casas en áreas no incorporadas de Pinellas y la mayoría de las ciudades, a excepción de Belleair, Largo, Clearwater y St. Petersburg; los residentes en estas áreas pueden consultar con sus ciudades para una ayuda similar.

Los detalles del programa y la solicitud están disponibles en línea en: pinellas.gov/homerepair.

Mejoras elegibles

Programa de Préstamos para la Reparación de Casas (Préstamo sin intereses de hasta $55,000)

Techo – incluyendo sofito/fascia
Ventanas y puertas exteriores
Aire acondicionado/calefacción
Mejoras eléctricas relacionadas con el Código de Vivienda

Programa de Vida Independiente (Subsidio de accesibilidad de hasta $20,000)

Rampas para sillas de ruedas
Barandas
Barras de apoyo para el baño
Conversiones de bañera a ducha
Duchas con puerta o aptas para sillas de rueda
Inodoros aprobados por la Ley ADA
Ensanchamiento de puertas
Otras mejoras para promover viviendas sin barreras

Lakewood/Trinity Choir on Epiphany

Cate Colgan has been videoing Rev. Kim’s sermons and, recently, has started videoing the choir when they do a piece of mine, for which I’m am very grateful. I’m so lucky to get to work with these folks. They deserve to be heard and acknowledged. They’re always game to tackle anything, including my stuff.

Below is the text of the anthem they’re singing in this video.

Brightest and Best of the Stars of the Morning
Text: Bishop Reginald Heber, 1783-1826; modified: HKJ
Music: Hilton Kean Jones

1. Hail, the blest morn when the great Mediator
Down from the mansions of glory descends;
Shepherds, go worship the babe in the manger,
Lo! for his guard the bright angels attend.

CHORUS: Brightest and best of the stars of the morning,
Dawn on our darkness and lend us your aid;
Star of the East, the horizon adorning,
Guide where our infant Redeemer is laid.

2. Cold on the cradle the dewdrops are shining;
Low lies Christ’s head with the beasts of the stall.
Angels adore Christ in slumber reclining,
Lover and Teacher and Savior of all.

CHORUS

3. Shall we not give Christ, in costly devotion
Odors of Edom and off’rings divine,
Gems of the mountain and pearls of the ocean,
Myrrh from the forest and gold from the mine?

CHORUS

4. Vainly we offer each ample oblation,
Vainly with gifts would we favor secure.
Richer by far is the heart’s adoration;
Dearer to God are the prayers of the poor.

CHORUS

Lincoln Cemetery

The Lincoln Cemetery

There is a long history associated with the Lincoln Cemetery which was at one time designated for burial of Black people in St. Petersburg.  The land was ceded by the city  to Gulfport.  Now there is an initiative for the city boundaries to be redrawn with the Lincoln Cemetery back within the boundaries of the City of St. Petersburg.  

Most of the people who are buried in the Lincoln Cemetery were from the City of St. Petersburg not Gulfport.  Some of the families who still live locally and have loved ones buried in the Lincoln Cemetery would like to have the Cemetery reincorporated into St. Petersburg.  The reclaiming of the Lincoln Cemetery is what we as Christians would call a prophetic action.  It is a symbolic action that honors the lives of those in the Cemetery and their families and redresses a past wrong. 

This initiative has been led by Josette Green who is part of the weekly labyrinth walk community at Lakewood church.  

The annexation of the Lincoln Cemetery is coming before the St. Petersburg City Council.  Please consider contacting your council member and expressing your support for the reclamation of the Lincoln Cemetery by the City of St. Petersburg. 

Click here for a sample letter.