The Gloucester Housing Partnership reported growth in services rendered in 2018 and is looking expand its operating budget to $200,000 by 2020, chairman Bob Tschirhart said at a June 3 meeting.

The GHP works with residents who meet or exceed 200 percent of the federal poverty level with the mission of “making every home safe, warm, accessible and dry.”

The organization received 88 applications in 2018 and was able to complete 49 projects, which represents a 5 percent increase compared to fiscal year 2017. This year, they expect that growth in completed projects to continue and are projecting an 18-percent increase.

GHP repairs aspects of a home such as roofs, plumbing, siding, windows, accessibility, insulation, decking and fire safety. “We are the only nonprofit housing authority who does this year-round,” Tschirhart said. The organization has nine volunteer board members and one paid part-time employee, as well as working relationships with area contractors...