CALUMET CITY | Residents have an excuse to make home improvements this summer: free money and advice.

With this summer's Best House on the Block contest, the city plans to give $22,400 in prize money to residents in all wards.

Eric Schneider, Calumet City communications director, said it's a "great program."

"It gets people excited about developing their property and makes the neighborhoods look great," he said. "(The) incentive is there, too, so it's a worthwhile program and hopefully we'll get a lot of people to sign up this year."

In each ward, the city plans to award $600 for first place, $400 for second place, $300 for third place and $200 for fourth place. The city also intends to give $100 and a certificate to all participants who complete projects visible from the street.

The city staged the same competition in 2004, but it was open only to residents who lived on the east side of the first, fifth and sixth wards. The last contest boosted community curb appeal and got homeowners excited, 5th Ward Alderman Gerald Tarka said. Winners acted like they had "won the lottery," he said.

"I believe that the improvement and upkeep of housing stock in an old suburb is an ongoing process," he said. "If home values go up, people look at (the community) as desirable."

Keith Speaks, executive director for Neighborhoods Inc., said this year's contest is the largest ever.

"This is the first time any city has done the whole town," he said.

"We expect to get well over 100 contestants," he said, adding that many other homeowners likely will make improvements.

Neighborhoods Inc. picks a panel of three or five volunteers from outside of the community to judge the improvements. Panels will use before and after photos to help narrow the field, Speaks said. Winners aren't determined by project cost or a home's aesthetic beauty, but by which property is most improved, he said.

Besides the prize money, the Calumet City Council approved paying $54,811 to Neighborhoods Inc. to administer the contest. The organization will provide free professional consultation to help residents with project ideas.

"Part of what the city is paying for is consultations," Speaks said. "We average about two hours. We personally visit the contestants or go over the project on the phone. We have tips for people for things that will dramatically improve their curb appeal."

The contest begins in May and ends in October. Residents can register by calling Neighborhoods Inc. at (708) 862-3232 or (219) 844-1876.