The city of Bowie stopped accepting applications from senior citizens for free housing upgrades in January because of overwhelming demand, but the popular program could start taking applications again by early spring.

"We hope to open it in the next six months or so," city grants administrator Jesse Buggs told City Council members Tuesday.

Buggs said he his staff of two had processed 10 residents' applications as of Tuesday and are in the middle of processing 21 more, with an additional 91 residents with completed applications on a waiting list.

Meanwhile, more residents continue to contact City Hall, wanting to apply.

"We're still getting calls from people," Buggs said. "The demand is very high."

Once the city starts taking applications again, it will alert the public through various means, including the city website, the media, newsletters and Bowie Senior Center, Buggs said.

The program, partly funded by the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development, pays for upgrades such as new roofs, windows, siding, insulation and energy-efficient appliances that enable low- and moderate-income senior citizens to stay in their houses and, by doing so, help preserve neighborhoods.

The first 10 approved households received about $20,000 each in free upgrades, but in the future, the amount will drop to about $10,000 each because of the growing demand for a limited amount of money, Buggs said.

Residents are processed on a first-come, first-served basis, but if some demonstrate serious need based on physical disabilities, the condition of the house and/or low income levels, they are moved higher on the waiting list, he said.

"Some applicants are making more than $200,000 a year, while others are making $20,000 ... with 10 holes in the roof," said Buggs, who evaluates applications on a case-by-case basis with help from his two staff members after they visit the house and interview the applicant.

Buggs acknowledged that the ranking method makes it difficult to respond to people who want to know where they are on the list, but he said HUD, which does not set income eligibility limits, expects the city to spend the money where there is the most need.

The program has accumulated about $596,200, with $326,800 coming from HUD, $225,000 from the Open Door Housing Fund in Silver Spring, and $44,400 in federal stimulus money for energy audits, according to city budget figures.

For fiscal 2011, the city expects to receive an additional $163,400 in HUD grants, $20,000 from the Department of Energy for energy audits, and $15,000 in county grants.

Seven of the first 10 participants are in the 20715 ZIP code north of Route 50 and three are in the 20716 ZIP code south of Route 50, according to the annual Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report for 2010 that the city must file with HUD. The greatest demand is coming from the older Levitt-built houses in Bowie, but the program serves applicants from around the city, Buggs said.

The program provides a list of licensed contractors in the Bowie area, but senior citizens do not have to pick someone from the list.

Residents may contract for more than $10,000 in upgrades, but if they start the work with government funds, they must show they have the resources to finish the project with their own money, Buggs said.

Residents must also agree to stay in the house five years to prevent problems with residents using the money to add value to the house and then selling it to someone else.

vterhune@gazette.net