The first houses being worked on in Wheatland's housing-rehabilitation program should be finished next week, said consultant Mourice Waltz.

Contractors have been hired for seven homes and contractor quotes are being accepted for four others, said Waltz, of Mourice Waltz Planners and Consultants, Sharpsville.

Eighteen homeowners applied for building-code related repairs.

"That's probably going to blow the money," Waltz said.

The borough has a $250,000 Community Development Block Grant for the program, of which about $216,000 is available for home improvements.

Homeowners who meet low- and moderate-income guidelines and are current on taxes are eligible for the deferred loans.

The loans do not have to be paid back if the homeowner lives in the house for five years.

Council set a cap of $15,000 for the repairs, and no quotes have gone over so far, Waltz said. He added that a few homeowners preferred a contractor with a higher quote, and agreed to pay the difference.