Five Century Families Receiving New Homes Thanks To Grant

July 23, 2015

Five Century families are receiving brand new home homes thanks to a Community Development Block Grant received by the town.

Three mobile homes, one added-on trailer and one traditional built home will be demolished and replaced with new homes. Each of the homes being replaced are substandard — some so bad with mold and missing floors  that residents have already been moved out, according to Robin Phillips, the town consultant that is administering the program.

Each of the new homes will be fully funded by the grant with residents required to pay nothing.

The homes being replaced are (with address, owner name, bid winner and construction amount):

  • 6890 Jefferson Avenue, Mary Ann Bradley, Bill Walther Construction $81,900
  • 6800 Gilford Avenue, Annie Mims, Parker Construction, $85,725
  • 121 Mincy Court, Ethel Brown, Walther Construction $86,000
  • 6845 Jefferson, David and Betty Washington, Motes Construction, $84,800
  • 7024 Hartley Lane, Ruby and Olivia Fleeton, Motes Construction, $85,600

Construction work will begin as soon as contract documents are executed and approved.

Pictured: Three of the five homes being replaced with new grant-funded homes in Century. The home at top is at 6890 Jefferson Avenue, below is 121 Mincy Court and at bottom is 6845 Jefferson Avenue. Photos courtesy Escambia County Tax Collector for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Comments

14 Responses to “Five Century Families Receiving New Homes Thanks To Grant”

  1. Me on July 27th, 2015 7:19 pm

    @hobbes…since you think it the home at 6845 is such an investment just maybe you should have attempted to purchase it and fix the MANY MANY issues it has. My grandmother has lived in that same house for probably as long as you have been alive. That home alone has caused myself and my newborn health issues. As far as her landscaping goes, which btw is none of your business, it’s handled by people who see the need for help with it and do it. The money that was issued for these homes were a federal grant. The ones on here complaining are all complaining because they didn’t make the cut. Had you made the cuts you wouldn’t be on here attempting to jump in others peoples purses, wallets, or life even. That’s the problem with this little “town” people don’t want anyone having more than they have. Crabs in a bucket. Hell, my house isn’t the best, but I’m extremely happy about the start of the community looking better. How’s about we concentrate on the ONLY high price grocery store or the fact that there are no longer any schools here, or hospitals, some things are not as big as the persons mouth that’s talking about it.

  2. Hobbes on July 26th, 2015 7:55 am

    @all

    it looks like the property at 6845 Jefferson is an investment property. There are two liveable structures as well as a separate carport. This property owner is about to receive money from the government coffers to build a new house they will then benefit financially from this. At best there will be an extremely small return to the government in the form of property taxes, but never enough to repay the total amount “invested”. I am sure all reasonable taxpayers would prefer to save that little bit of money that is going to build someone else an investment property for one of their own. I know I would. Also, it looks like they have the money and time to spend on a lot of nice landscaping. Too bad they couldn’t spend that money on their own house.

    I wonder how many of these additions have been permitted, I am guessing none. One way to look at this is that we financially reward someone for doing something wrong/illegal. Hey guys, if you add on to your house illegally and unsafely we will build you a new one. But don’t even build a fence if you are someone else, they will hit you up with a fine.

  3. jeeperman on July 25th, 2015 10:20 am

    One concern, all of the above current homes are taxed based on a value of about $25k and all but one thus pay zero property tax.
    Each new home on the existing property will automatically be valued at more than $80k minus $25k homestead exempt they may now be required to pay taxes on the difference.
    Even if they get the senior citizen exemption too.
    So if they can not pay those taxes, they lose the new house.

  4. Dennis HE Wiggins on July 24th, 2015 8:07 am

    In response to what “lynn” said, I believe she is, more or less, correct about there being no “grants available to rural families.” As I understand it (I have looked at the various grants offered by the federal government) the grants ARE available, but it requires a government agency (or MAYBE a non-profit agency) to apply for it. Looking at the Commission’s history and latest actions of taxing the north end to pay for the south end, it is obvious why the “rural families” never have the opportunity for such. As long as they can tax the rural families without providing them any services, they will.

    People need to become active in the Commission’s procedures and actions. Write, call, e-mail, and fax ALL the Commissioners. Mr. Barry alone cannot beat the system.

  5. Suzette on July 24th, 2015 6:28 am

    I know Mrs. Ethel Brown. You would never find a more deserving person. She worked for years at Byrneville elementary school. She raised her own children plus her brothers. She is active in her church and her community. Sh also suffers from breast cancer. I don’t know anything about the other people but if she is indicative of the other recipients then we should all be happy for these people. Why must we always think the worst and speak before we know what or who we are talking about.
    Such a shame.

  6. lynn on July 23rd, 2015 8:14 pm

    Exactly what I was about to say…those homes look to be in way better shape than what my daughter and grandkids live in. They would be proud to have a home that nice. Seriously doubt there’s any grants available to rural families.

  7. chris in Molino on July 23rd, 2015 6:09 pm

    Just wondering who decides who gets these new homes.
    I know certain people know how to work the system (so to speak) and even teach their children how to get govt cheese. Perfect example are all the “Habitat for Humanity ” homes. Look at em now, all run down and crappy. Oh well, easy come easy go.

  8. JOHN D, BODIE on July 23rd, 2015 4:17 pm

    I had to get a job and work for many years, then I bought a house, My home is 16 years old. I want a new one. where can I get one. Please help me. Are the taxes on these going to be fair after the new dwellings are built. Just asking.

  9. Puddin on July 23rd, 2015 1:46 pm

    Kathy, I hope things r better for u soon.

    There are Federal grants available to help people in need. Google federal grants/housing.

    I suspect thats where these grants came from. Instead of slamming, how about if we were happy for the lucky people who got some help. Im sure its answered prayers. :-D

  10. CW on July 23rd, 2015 12:28 pm

    @WHAT

    I doubt “Century taxes” are paying for this, its likely some type of federal grant. Most people in Century probably don’t even pay federal taxes due to their income level.

  11. jeeperman on July 23rd, 2015 11:15 am

    One of the above addresses is not using the homestead exemption.
    Which usually means it is a rental or vacation home.
    I find it offensive to be paying tax dollars to replace a vacation or rental home for anyone.

    Maybe the owner occupant has not filed for homestead exemption and should so they pay now property tax.

  12. KathyBrady on July 23rd, 2015 9:30 am

    My housenisnin bad shape,black mold, my roof poor’s water in 5 places when it rains,my windows need to be replace, I have a high power bill. And much more, I need hel . I. Am fighting cancer and other help problems, help me

  13. jeeperman on July 23rd, 2015 8:24 am

    Are all of these owner occupied homes?

  14. WHAT on July 23rd, 2015 8:00 am

    Century taxes are going up woohoo. Those houses are nicer then the house I live in. I guess you have to no somebody!!! Cant wait to start paying on there houses.