MT. VERNON — Many Mt. Vernon residents came to a public hearing before Monday night’s city council meeting to hear more about the Community Development Block Grant the city is applying for to help local residents. The grant helps low-income residents make necessary repairs to their home to get it up to code or to help keep them in their homes.

Debbie Jackanicz works with the Crosswalk Community Action Agency and spoke to the residents in attendance Monday night. She says the grant can be life-changing for those who receive it, and it is also a boost to the local economy.

Mt. Vernon Mayor John Lewis says the number of people at the hearing shows the need in the community, and he hopes it shows the higher levels of government the same thing.

For more information on the grant, you can call Lewis at his office at 242-6802.