March 29, 2024

Paint Creston Program applications due May 4

Free paint is provided to homes in need by the Image Enhancement Committee.

Applications for the Image Enhancement Committee’s 2018 Paint Creston Program are due to the Creston Chamber of Commerce no later than 5 p.m. Friday, May 4.

The Image Enhancement Committee offers the program which provides paint and painting supplies to a minimum of five Creston owner-occupied homes. In the eight years the program has been in place, 41 Creston homes have been painted.

Applications are available at the Creston Chamber of Commerce office, located at 208 W. Taylor St., or online at www.crestoniowachamber.com. Contact the Creston Chamber of Commerce at 641-782-7021 or chamber@crestoniowachamber.com with questions.

“We started it knowing with the 3,000 homes we have in the community, it would take forever, but our hope was if we get to homes before they deteriorate and have to be torn down, that would be a plus,” Creston Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Ellen Gerharz said.

Part of the program’s goal is to inspire others to paint their homes or apply for the program the following year.

Priority is given to those homes which need the paint the most. Gerharz said the program is not for homeowners who simply want to change the paint color of their house. Only owner-occupied homes within city limits are eligible for the program.

“We look at the houses that probably need it most, but we also look at the foundation of the home,” Gerharz said. “If the home is probably on its almost last leg, they’re not going to get paint because we’re only delaying the inevitable that the house is probably not going to be livable.”

The Image Enhancement Committee does attach stipulations with the program for houses that are selected.

For example, houses with deteriorating siding need to have the siding replaced in order to receive the paint. Aluminum-based siding needs to be power washed before painting begins. Any house with peeling paint needs to have the paint scraped before new paint is applied.

“One year, we gave the family paint and the roof on the porch was collapsing. We said, ‘You’ll get the paint, but that roof [needs fixed].’ The next year, he did put a new roof and new braces on the porch and it looks lovely,” Gerharz said. “They’ve been very willing to do that extra step to get the paint. We haven’t had anybody yet tell us no.”

The number of homes selected each year depends on the funds available for the year and the size of homes, as larger homes take more paint. Paint colors are approved by the Image Enhancement Committee.

For large, two-story houses that need a lift in order to complete the painting, Gerharz said the Image Enhancement Committee offers to pay for half of the cost of the lift.

“We’re serious about wanting to see these houses painted and painted well so they will last for awhile,” Gerharz said.

Gerharz added she hopes homeowners who have applied in the past and not been selected will reapply.

“There were a couple last year where, yeah, they needed paint,” Gerharz said. “But the ones we selected needed paint a lot worse. They’re going to need paint more this year. I wish people would reapply, because that doesn’t mean they won’t be accepted this year.”