Norfolk homeowner says city‑appointed contractor breached renovate grant agreement; seeks flexibility to finish work

A Norfolk homeowner who received a first‑time homebuyer grant and a city renovate grant told the council the city‑appointed contractor breached the contract, caused property damage and left work incomplete, and requested relief from grant obligations or permission to hire a private contractor to finish the scope.

Amanda Keating said she purchased a home in Ward 1 with a $20,000 first‑time homebuyer grant and was selected for the renovate grant. She described alleged contractor breaches, personal injury, unauthorized entry onto her property and vandalism that she said are documented in footage and police reports. Keating said city workers previously told her she was “demanding too much.” She said the city offered to hire a new contractor to complete only part of the original scope and asked the council to (1) forgive her city-funded first‑time homebuyer grant so she could rent or leave the city if she chooses, and (2) allow her to use a contractor she trusts to complete the full original scope for the same contracted price.

Keating said she has provided evidence, filed a police report and sought help from her councilmember; she said staff later informed her the city would engage a different contractor but that she did not trust another city affiliate to work on her home. The council did not vote on a remedy during the meeting; Keating asked the council to intervene.

Why it matters: The complaint raises questions about contract management for city‑administered housing grants, resident safety and the city’s ability to deliver promised renovation scopes through partner contractors.

Ending: Keating said she has found a private contractor willing to finish the work at the original price and requested council action to permit that change or to forgive the grant; no council directive or vote was recorded in the transcript.