Cochran awarded $500,000 grant to help homeowners make repairs

The city expects applications to open in January 2027 and plans to use a lottery to select participating homes.

COCHRAN, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – The City of Cochran has been awarded a $500,000 CHIP grant to help eligible homeowners make significant repairs to their homes.

Rhonda Gilbert with Gilbert and Associates says the funding will address safety concerns, code violations and disability needs.

“This is a grant to the city to then grant eligible homeowners funding to make significant repairs to their house to address the code violations and any disability needs, and to make the home safe and decent for occupancy,” Gilbert said.

According to Gilbert, the city proposed serving six homes with the funding, but the final number will depend on the available budget.

Repairs could include electrical, roofing, plumbing and HVAC work, along with painting, flooring and cabinetry, depending on the condition of the home.

District One Councilor Gary Yakes says the program could be especially beneficial in areas with more low income residents.

“We want y’all to come out and see if you qualify because it is a great thing that the city of Cochran is doing,” he said. “And we pray and we pray that we get the support to keep it going in our district, and not only in our district; We got district two and three also but the most moderately low income is in district one.”

City officials say they expect the application process to open in January 2027. Interested homeowners will complete a pre-application, and the city plans to use a lottery to select the homes that will receive funding.