Catuzza Home Problem Prompts Plea to Non-Profits

AVON — With the demolition of a local home on the horizon the Avon Village Board looks to remedy any future similar situations by looking for help in a non profit organization.

Jill Alcorn, President and CEO of Genesee Valley Rural Preservation Council, GVRPC, along with Robert Martin, Program Director for GVRPC attended Monday night’s Village Board Meeting where they discussed options for Avon residents that are currently living in homes that are in the process of deteriorating.

“Your situation is not unfamiliar to us,” said Alcorn.

The GVRPC is a non profit rehabilitation program for owner occupied homes in Livingston County.

“Our programs are tied to income and the household size,” said Alcorn. “We have money available for owner occupants for homes in disrepair.”

According to Martin, there is generally no expense to the home owner.

“I think that customers would probably fall in the income groups,” said Mayor Tom Freeman. “This will certainly soften the communication barrier.”

According to Mayor Freeman, there are ten houses in the Village of Avon that are on a list to receive a letter that their houses are deteriorating. The letter will consist of the code enforcement regulations and an introductory packet describing GVRPC with an application to apply attached.

A draft of the letter has been put together but is waiting upon approval from the Village Board and is scheduled to be sent out within a couple of weeks.

The demolition of Dennis Catuzza’s house that marked the start of this action by the board is set to happen Tuesday, October 8.

“I don’t even want to drive by the house tomorrow, it’s a man’s house,” said Mayor Freeman.