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Commission approves $160,204 in reimbursement funding for two Habitat for Humanity homes in South Augusta
Summary
The commission approved funding to support construction of two single-family homes by Augusta CSRA Habitat for Humanity, reimbursing up to 25% of construction costs plus developer fees under a memorandum of understanding; staff clarified a prior typo in the agenda materials.
The Augusta Richmond County Commission approved funding on June 3 to reimburse Augusta CSRA Habitat for Humanity for construction of two single-family homes in South Augusta, bringing the total commitment for the two properties to $160,204.44. The funding will be reimbursed to Habitat under the terms set out in the memorandum of understanding between the organization and the county.
Deputy director Lewis and Habitat representative Bernadette Kelleher described the agreement as a continuation of a prior MOU for a five-home program; the current request covers two additional homes that would bring the program to three of the five-unit target. Kelleher said Habitat was asked to reduce the city’s share from an earlier model; under the current agreements Habitat requests 25 percent of construction costs plus the developer fee. The construction-not-to-exceed figure in the agenda packet was corrected at the dais: county staff said the construction portion should be listed as not to exceed $48,482.82 per unit (the earlier packet contained a typographical total that showed $80,102.22).
Commissioners clarified how the reimbursement and developer-fee payments would be handled. Habitat explained the developer fee is payable in two parts—half at fifty-percent completion and half at issuance of the certificate of occupancy—and that Habitat typically holds the mortgage on the property and retains an asset on its books rather than receiving full cash at closing. The commission asked the housing department to present separate agenda items for each future property to avoid confusion; staff agreed.
The council moved and seconded the motion to approve the two reimbursements for the two properties (3035 Hummingbird Lane and 3037 Hummingbird Lane), and the clerk recorded the motion as adopted unanimously by the members present. County staff noted funds for the Habitat program are available in the department’s account and will be paid on reimbursement after verifiable draws and inspections.
