GADSDEN COUNTY, Fla. (WTXL) — A family in Quincy is getting a new home thanks to local and federal grants.
This is just one of many projects that Gadsden County is working on for its residents.
The Thompsons have lived in their home for 15 years but when Hurricane Michael came through, the house got destroyed. Monday, they received the keys to their new house and are so thankful.
"The roof was taken off, windows were blown out, trees fell, and there was a lot of leaky buckets, but you all have shown us with this program that there is a little bit of heaven on earth and we're very excited. It is so beautiful," said Gerrye & William Thompson.
The family became the proud owner of a new 1000 sq. ft. home with two bedrooms, one bath, a kitchen-living room combination, and an additional 9 ft. by 15 ft. covered, screened front porch.
The new house was constructed at a cost of $84,000 and the contractor was Bill Herring of Florida Homes, Inc., who specializes in providing new and rehabilitated homes funded by the CDBG and SHIP programs.
The Thompson's house is the first of many houses that will be restored because of the Small Cities Community Development Grant (CDBG), as well as the State Housing Initiative Partnership Program (SHIP).
“The grant funds are used specifically to help low-to-moderate income homeowners bring their substandard homes up to current building code standards,” said Commission Chairman Viegbesie. “Additionally, funds can be used to make minor repairs, such as fixing a leaky roof or leaky pipes, for major repairs, or to demolish a severely deteriorated house, which is then replaced with a new one.”
Gadsden County uses several grant programs for housing improvements. Low-to-moderate income homeowners in need of housing repairs can add their name to the waiting list by contacting the Gadsden County Housing Program at (850) 662-3306.
