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$202K To Rehab 4 Homes, Including 105 Year Old, $11K House In Flood Zone
March 22, 2012
The Town of Century has been awarded $202,704 in grant-funded contracts to rehabilitate four private homes in the town — including a 1907 home located in a floodplain.
The town was awarded a $650,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) last year to rehabilitate or replace about nine homes that are currently occupied by persons of low or moderate income. The town also received $100,000 in Residential Construction Mitigation Program Funds for hurricane retrofits.
A 105-year old wood frame home (pictured top) at 541 East Pond Street is among the four selected by the town for rehabilitation. According to the Escambia County Property Appraiser’s website, the home owned by Roy and Rosie Pearl Hale has a taxable value of $10,960, while the rehab cost will be $81,850.
According to the town, the 1,456 square foot East Pond Street home is located in a floodplain — so demolition and reconstruction is not allowed. “The only assistance available to the homeowner is substantial rehabilitation of the existing unit and the homeowner will be required to purchase flood insurance upon completion of the substantial rehabilitation,” according to town documents.
Other homes selected for rehabilitation will range in cost from $34,611 for a home at 210 East Street to $51,701 for a home on Mayo Street (pictured inset). The project for each of the homes is detailed in the graphic below.
Back in November, the town awarded $230,567 in contracts to rehab four other homes.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Comments
54 Responses to “$202K To Rehab 4 Homes, Including 105 Year Old, $11K House In Flood Zone”
REGARDING:
“DON’T HATE!!!!!!”
I’m fairly slow but I didn’t see any sign of hatred from the comments below.
Disagreeing with a policy is not the same as hating the beneficiaries of that policy. Maybe they DO hate, but I missed where anything says so. Reading hatred into their disagreement says more about you than about them.
Some seem to think just because Nixon got it started, it must be good.
Some seem to think just because President Obama is president, it must be bad.
Some seem to think it’s free money so should be spent as soon as possible.
Some think there were better ways to spend the free money.
Some just oppose waste altogether.
Some seem to think building them brand new homes would be better.
I think free expression is a good thing.
David for love and kindness
DON’T HATE!!!!!!
That house on Pond Street looks like some heritage that we need to preserve.
Frank Lloyd Wright designed something similar in his day.
Hope they don’t ruin it.
REGARDING:
“Once your TAX DOLLARS come out of your check it no longer belongs to YOU anyway it belongs to the GOVERNMENT and they will use it as THEY see fit.”
I thought we WERE our government. My bad.
David considering our role in government
What we have here is a matter of principle. Most government social programs go unnoticed. But this one is very local and visible. The bottom line is, that it never ceases to amaze me how generous the government is with other people’s money.
Glad to see someone getting good use out of my hard earned tax dollars. At least its spent local.
It seems to me it would be better to buy the owners a new mobile home to live in, instead of spending so much to rehab such an old home. The new ones are really nice.
You can put lipstick on a pig, but it is still a pig.
Are you being so selfish to say that their wasteing your money. their not wasteing anyones money their trying to help people so get over your self really.
What a waste of tax payers money. Hey wait a minute that’s my money they watsed. Way over priced. Wonder what Habitat For Humanity Could have built with 650,000 dollars. I bet they could help more than 9 homes.
This sounds like it amounts to slavery and discrimination.
Everyone’s comments are valid and each of us have the right to express ourselves. So just remember this when you get tired of people idea’s and opinions.
Glad to be an American…………………………….freedom of speech
It’s AMAZING the lengths that people will go through just to find reasoning that someone is NOT DESERVING of what the federal government or whomever determined that they were DESERVING of. This is a family that needs better living conditions than what they currently have. Now, if that means rebuilding, remodeling, or relocating they still need better. What if it were your family? Maybe they couldn’t afford to do any better. How do you know the won’t appreciate better. If this house is 105 yrs old it was probably not all that great from the time it was constructed. Have a Heart. These people have been BLESSED and they are probably overwhelmed with joy. So why are you WORRIED about what doesn’t concern you… Once your TAX DOLLARS come out of your check it no longer belongs to YOU anyway it belongs to the GOVERNMENT and they will use it as THEY see fit. Find something more constructive to do with YOUR OWN LIVES and stop wasting your time trying to figure out the business that is NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS…Congrats to the recipients of these funds. I’m sure in your lifetime in this FINE COUNTRY you have contributed a TAX DOLLAR as well so you are just as DESERVING of this as any other TAX PAYER!
GO FIND YOUR LIFE COMPLAINERS and be thankful that you were blessed to live and have better!
It’s so very sad that you people who make these very ignorant comments can not let any one else be happy. These families have worked very hard so why not let them get the benefits of their hard work an to this very ignorant person who wants to talk about schools and such lets think about wasting good tax payers money to build an new school when you already have closed down perfectly good schools such as Carver/Century k-8 which is perfectly good school for kids to learn in yet you send them to Ernest Ward. A school that has needed to be torn down A VERY LONG TIME AGO that’s a waste of tax payer’s money. And to this man who wishes to talk about OBAMA the presidents before him made terrible mistake he’s trying to fix them so let the man do his job because I doubt if OBAMA going any where. I’m very happy for these people I hope their homes come out fantastic if you have negative comments you should seriously keep them TO YOUR SELF GROW UP AN STOP HATEING.
Section 7:
Flood Zones: A project located in a flood plain must meet Federal Flood Insurance Program Requirements, which
can substantially increase costs. When possible, a project should not be located in a flood plain. No housing
rehabilitation in a flood plain will be funded through the City’s CDBG Program.
No need to blame the federal or state government—-the CITY made the decision on what and who to help. I would have one question for who ever made this decision— do the people have any type of home owners insurance at this time?
What is the Community Development Block Grant Program?
The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program is a federal program run by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). CDBG grants are provided to state and local governments for the purpose of addressing community needs such as affordable housing, job creation, and retention and expansion of business activity. Grants are available for projects lasting from one to three years. Seventy percent of the funding must be used for the benefit of low and moderate income individuals. The CDBG Program was initiated in 1974.
I AGREE WITH CORRECT, THESE GRANTS ARE A GOOD THING.
Here is some HISTORY for you people who think they know everything and DON’T.
All this information was gotten at http://www.HUD.gov under History. Check it out and know what you are saying before you open your mouth. This is just a short version of what it says.
1. 1937 U.S. Housing Act of 1937
2.1974 Housing and Community Development Act consolidates programs into Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. Section 8 tenant-based certificates increase low-income tenants’ choice of housing. Gerald R. Ford becomes president following Nixon’s resignation.
3. 2009 Shaun Donovan was sworn in as the 15th Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development on January 26, 2009. President Obama named Donovan to lead the Department and the U.S. Senate confirmed his nomination to confront the challenges facing today’s housing market.
Obama is NOT handing out these grants!! They were established long before he was a nightmare in our white house.
REGARDING:
“- – - it does not matter what you all have to say.”
Well, that certainly put all commenters in their places. Just shut up and let your betters tell you how to think.
David considering those
who favor silencing discussion
This is just wrong wrong wrong! Anyone with any sense would not rebuilt in a flood plan after all we have seen over the last years in the news. The cost for flood insurance is extremely high. And what a risk.
Not to mention the lead paint., fire hazard due to the fat lighter wood these homes are full of and the nasty Asbestos. HOW many more reasons do you need.
It would make so much more sense to build a few tiny homes and relocate folks that are in such a bad way in these worn out houses. Handicapped one and two bedroom homes cause I am sure these people aren’t young. Spread the wealth around do more for many. Not just one or two.
Century needs to keep thinking about moving forward and ways to sustain itself.
@ correct. That’s the PROBLEM ! You’re like everyone else “its free money go get it”. The rest of us are payng for it.
It is so sad and heart breaking reading these negative comments. Think about it people it takes waaaay too much energy to complain and “LORD” knows there are other things you all could be doing with your time. Personally, I think it is great the grants are being used to remodel homes in Century to make the area look better. These individuals receiving these grants have lived and worked in Century all of their lives so they are just getting some of their TAX MONEY” back. They are not getting anything “FREE”. Instead of hiding behind your computers get out and go to the “TOWN OF CENTURY MEETING so that your faces can be seen and your voices can be heard. “Come on “PEOPLE” TOWN OF CENTURY MEETING” get out and voice your opinion.”
I would advise any one if there is FREE MONEY! FREE MONEY! “GET IT”. I am sure if it was one of you all or a family member receiving the grant there would not have been nothing said. For all of you with the negative comments it does not matter what you all have to say. The individuals are getting their homes remodeled and it does not matter if the homes are 19, 22, 47 or 105 years old “CASE CLOSED”.
Let the remodeling began.
If you live in a flood zone you should keep up with your own insurance and pay for repairs when it floods. Why would they spend money to rehab a house in a flood zone? Buy them a mobile home and move them to a higher piece of ground. If they couldn’t keep it up before how are they going to now? More takers are they going to help fix up anyone elses house or maybe they can help on their own since it was their responsibility from the get go. Givers and takers maybe the town of Century can send these homeowners on a vacation while their homes are being repaired.
I have lived in a 104 year old house for the past 25 years.That picture sure doesn’t look like an old house to me unless they covered the outside with plywood.
We should do the same with this money that we have done with billions and billions of dollars before and continue to do. Spend it overseas, especially in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan. We all know it’s socialism/communism to spend money on people that need it in America but good government policy to give it to people that want to kill us.
Some people really need to educate themselves before they open their mouths and look foolish. By the way if this country was going down hill way before Obama became President but I guess it’s more convenient to blame him for the mess other people have made.
Nixon and Ford might have been the ones who signed it into law but like any bill or law, it’s being twisted to suit the needs of a few, over the many.
I would be more in favor of a low interest loan to these home owners rather than a check from the government. We shouldn’t be taking tax payer funds and giving them to private individuals to improve their property values.
Furthermore, if you’re going to give it to one family, how can you turn down another? Who decides which homes are in the worst condition to warrant this money? What makes these homes worse than say another home around the corner? What oversight is there that the contractor won’t skimp on material and quality just to get the check?
Sounds like the fox is watching the hen house!
After the homes are repaired, restored whatever, they will still be OLD homes with $0 historic value!!! They will not be able to afford the insurance to protect the properties because they will still be considered built in there original year. Much cheaper to rebuild than rehab!!!
GIVE US A BREAK!!! The new american way, live in a home don’t take care of it and the tax payers will do it for you for free!!
We wonder why the younger generation has the entitlement mentality!!!
I might remind you that Helen Mincy wanted more input from more people.
But nooooo, you griped at her
For those who are interested or concerned, Republican President Richard Nixon pushed for the Community Development Block Grant program, and it was signed into law in 1974 by Republican President Gerald Ford. The Community Development Block Grant program is one of the longest continuously run programs at HUD.
I was under the impression this was going to be a new roof and some painting, maybe a floor board or two, but it appears the Hale home, is going to have to be gutted to the frame, new wiring, plumping, drywall, flooring. It makes my head hurt to think about it.
From the looks of the list, it appears only THREE families received the gravy. It appears the Lowe’s, Myrtice and Frankie, et al., are related and live down the street from each other on East Street, with the same contractor refurbishing their houses. The 105 year old house doesn’t look in such deplorable condition, and the other house pictured looks like a mobile home that a roof and porch added to it. It’s obvious that these individuals knew the city gov’ment folks requesting this block grant. Politics at it’s best you think? With the almost $203,000 they could have helped a whole lot of folks. Did any of you see this money advertised in the paper for residents to apply for this help? I don’t live in Florida, but very interested in knowing if the 105 year old house residents end up paying for their flood insurance. I’d also like to see the results of the $80,000 makeover!!!!
I’m with Mike, that house in the top photo just doesn’t look like one that would have been built in 1907, maybe 1947.
Also, the house in the bottom pic looks fine to me, certainly not worthy of $50k in repairs. Maybe they’re getting a new chainlink fence too?
Oh do we know this is an Obama Grant and hasn’t been on the books for years?
But then who accepted this spending money? That was not Obama, oh maybe
that was one of thos nasty Libs.
This is stupid—some of these homes are only about 20 years and you are going to spend $35,000.00 to remodel. The people that ownes them must not take care or maintain them at all. Just camping I guess until the government comes along and take care of them again.
I am glad they were able to get the money. Look at it this way, if Century is going to get the money at least it is using it to fix up the homes. Think about what Century would look like if they didn’t. These people cannot afford to fix their homes so at least the town is helping them. I know times are tough but if the federal government can blow money the way they do at least Century is using the money for good.
I see and read nothing but complaints. At least this money is spent for something good. Our tax dollars are spent everyday on crap over seas, no one is screaming about that!! At least this money is staying in the USA.
OBAMA AT HIS FINEST , THIS IS JUST STEALING FROM THE TAXPAYER, YOU PEOPLE VOTED FOR THIS ————— AREN’T YOU HAPPY IT IS PAYING YOU BACK ? I SAY OBAMA NEEDS TO BE VOTED OUT BEFORE HE COMPLETELY RUINS THIS COUNTRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Davids one of those old liberals, and does display good sense and balance, except in the dimensions where we differ in opinion.
It’s not how much money you have it’s how you take care of what you have.
It doesn’t take a lot of money for some wood now and then and paint.
If these people have not bothered then they won’t bother now. This is
truly pitiful to pump working peoples money into a flood plain home
that no one including relatives have bothered to even try to make sanitary
and livable.
Someone please tell me who the kids are who will probably now inherit
from our throwing good money after bad. Don’t get me wrong I have
nothing against helping people when the heck it makes sense!
There should be a REAL PUBLIC out cry over this one.
Vote David Hue Green for President! He makes more sense than anyone!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Community_Development_Block_Grant
That 105 year old house looks suspiciously like a doublewide trailer with a porch added on one end, lol.
From wiki:
“Grantees are also required to hold public meetings to solicit input from the community, ensuring that proposed projects are aligned with the community’s most urgent needs.”
So I’m guessing the ones that go to these meetings get the grease. Obviously there is not enough money to fix up everybody’s house, so some are gonna be upset. I agree with joe, $81G to fix up an old house seems stupid, go ahead & build new.
Since the tax assessment is on the house and the land the house is worth even less than what is shown on the records.
I think it’s very nice of the Chinese to loan us the money to fix up these houses.
The town of century couldnt find another way to spend that money. That is alot of money to spend on one house…just another stupid idea and a waste of that funded money. That money could be used to help alot of famlies not just one or two.
What is the criteria for these grants?
i know these locations. stupid is as stupid does. there goes our tax money down a hole.
Let’s see…..couldn’t afford to keep the house up to standards, but will now have the money to pay for flood insurance??? AND what is the Town of Century do, when the people drop their unaffordable flood insurance??? Will the town pick up the cost of that to protect their $80,000+ investment? Seems like a dumb move!
I have seen shotguns before, this one looks like a bazooka. It would be better to just purchase a foreclosed property and relocate the Hale Family. I am surprised that home has survived 105 years, as most of Century appears to be on a flood plain. Check out some of the renovated shotguns in Pensacola, they are nice.
I agree with “joe”. I understand times are hard, but really, spending 8 times the value to “fix” it. Government crap again!!!!
Why would you rehab a house on a flood plain???
And you wonder why America is in the trouble it’s in today. What a waste !
Free Money! Free Money! Vote Democrat to get your free money!!!! Never mind those people actually working and paying taxes-come get in line and get your free money!!!
No wonder there is no money for our schools!!!
Who oversees these block grants? Is this State or Federal?
This shows what an outrageously corrupt society we are.
I wish my old ‘farm’ house and land was inside the town limits of Century.Both of these homes look better than ours.If the town ever wants to expand again please include Campbell Road.There are still a few poor people over here that need help as well.A.W. Thompson Mosquito Flats,Florida [The outskirts of Century for what its worth]
why would you rehab a house in such dis-repair? and at a cost of 8 times it’s taxed value?
the city would get a better return tearing it down and building a ss steel home for the same price, it would be brick and not an eye sore to the community,
just saying