BERLIN – In a continuing effort to assist residents who experienced property damage in the August storm that flooded the town and caused several power outages, Berlin officials have invited anyone interested in a home repair loan program to visit Town Hall tomorrow, Nov. 16.

According to Tony Carson, town administrator of Berlin, representatives of the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development will arrive some time between 11:30 a.m. and noon to inform residents on possibilities of assistance for home repair.

What is being offered is the Maryland Housing Rehabilitation Loan Program that provides low-interest loans to assist with renovations done to both exterior and interior deficiencies.

"It's a half-dozen-page application. We'll have staff members to meet with residents and help them through the process," Carson said.

"It's been more than two months since the storm and we're trying to gauge how many people need help," he said.

Carson said he and other Berlin officials had tried to get the state department to visit the town nearer to the date of when the storm occurred, but there were delays that didn't allow state representatives to come to Berlin until now.

These loans are secured by a property lien and there are some limits based on income. Carson further explained that the loans do not have to be repaid until the house is sold.

The town of Berlin has been trying to seek help for residents, especially since representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) two months ago said Berlin does not meet the qualifications for federal aid. According to FEMA, no public or private structure in the town suffered enough damage to meet its threshold.