Gadsden County received a grant earlier this week that will be used to repair or replace old homes.
The $750,000 grant is going towards Gadsden County residents living in unincorporated areas of the county who are in need of repairing or replacing homes that are no longer safe.
Gadsden County’s Housing State Housing Initiative Program received the Florida Small Cities Community Development Block Grant from the Florida Department of Commerce.
The check presentation was held at the home of Matilda Wright, who has been on the S.H.I.P. program’s waiting list for nearly a decade.
Wright will soon get a brand new home.
Gadsden County Commission Chair Ronterious Green said there are more than 300 families on the S.H.I.P. program’s waiting list.
He said the county, unfortunately, only receives about $325,000 -$350,000 a year for that program.
“We’re fighting hard each budget season to try to secure more funding so that we’re able to help more families,” Green said.
Gadsden County’s housing coordinator Sonja Burns said she anticipates 11 residents will receive a new home or rehabilitated home, because of the grant.For more information about the S.H.I.P. program, contact Burns at (850) 875-8659.
Erin Hill – Gadsden County News Service
