Oct. 14--An application for about $2.1 million in federal money to improve some properties in the northeast part of Jacksonville has been denied.

MCS Community Services had plans to buy and demolish 10 houses in that section of the city and then construct affordable houses on those sites, according to MCS Community Services Director Dan Little. Little informed the Morgan County Board of Commissioners at its meeting Tuesday that the application for a neighborhood stabilization grant was not approved.

"We didn't have enough local match funding to compete with the metropolitan areas," Little explained. "I think the allocation committee identified with the project and the denial letter indicated they would keep our application on file if funding becomes available."

The Morgan County Housing Authority and the city of Jacksonville were partners in the proposed project. Little also announced that MCS Community Services is still taking applications for the weatherization and low energy assistance programs.

"We encourage people to call for applications," he said. "All of our programs aid low-income people in Morgan, Cass and Scott counties."

The weatherization program improves the energy efficiency of low-income housing and the low energy assistance program assists low-income families pay their utility bills.

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