Whittier : Grant Sought for Loans to Buy, Renovate Homes

Whittier has applied for $900,000 in state grants to improve housing for low-income families near the center of the city, an area plagued by crime.

If the money is approved by the Department of Housing and Community Development, several apartments and houses between Pickering and Greenleaf avenues and Philadelphia and La Cuarta streets will be eligible for low-interest loans.

The loans would be made available to first-time home buyers to purchase or renovate a house. New apartment owners also would be eligible for loans to upgrade dilapidated rentals.

A housing development task force, headed by Assistant City Manager Henry C. Cunningham, recently submitted a report on the area to the council that called for improved affordable housing and better public services.

Police patrols in the area have increased as a result of the findings. According to the Police Department, the area had the highest number of crimes in the city over the last two years.

The council has asked the task force to investigate the feasibility of installing street and alley lights throughout the neighborhood.