Board moves forward with grant application to help homeowners

KENANSVILLE — At the Sept.16 meeting, the Board of County Commissioners held the first of two public hearings required to apply for a Community Development Block Grant Neighborhood Revitalization to help homeowners.

The state grant would cover housing and infrastructure related to housing, such as new utility services, streets, flood and drainage improvements, sidewalks, and pedestrian ways. Additionally, it can include public facilities such as shelters, community centers, or recreation centers. To qualify, the project must meet one of three national objectives. It must benefit low and moderate-income individuals, prevent or eliminate slums and blight, or address other urgent needs — often storm or disaster-related.

The program can involve housing rehabilitation or demolition and reconstruction of existing homes. The homes selected for inclusion in the program must be owned and occupied by low and moderate-income individuals. The income eligibility is on a sliding scale depending on the number of people living in the home.

The next step after the second public hearing will require the board to establish a housing selection committee to choose the houses based on federal criteria.

A list of individuals who meet the requirements was underway at the meeting time, and surveys involving house visits, gathering information, taking photos, and documenting issues were conducted.

The surveys will be utilized for the application. Upon grant approval, the funds are provided to the county. The homeowner then has to sign a deed of trust, giving the county a lien on the property for eight years. During this time, no payments are required on the lien. However, if the homeowner tries to sell the home within that period, they would owe money to the county.

If a program participant were to die and the heir is not considered low or moderate income, the county could try to recoup funds. The second public hearing will be held at the Oct. 7 meeting.

In other business:

• The board approved a motion to change the name of James O. Horne Lane to Teaberry Lane in Cypress Creek Township.

• The board adopted the FY 2026 Program Resolution authorizing applications for federal and state funding for the transportation department. One would cover administrative costs, the other one would provide federal money to fund trips for the elderly and disabled, and the third one would cover a replacement vehicle.

• The board approved a motion to create a new animal services center manager position.