County to use CDBG funds to help relocate White Oak and National trailer-park residents

The Board of County Commissioners approved accepting Community Development Block Grant funds and associated budget changes to support voluntary relocation assistance for two local mobile-home parks.

County housing and legal staff told commissioners the state made $385,288 available for relocation work: $270,288 reallocated from an earlier Lexington Manor CDBG account plus an additional $115,000 of state CDBG funding. The board authorized the commissioner president to sign the grant and subrecipient agreements and to request release of funds.

What the county said at the meeting: Dennis Nicholson, executive director of the Housing Authority, told the board that at White Oak Trailer Park 49 of the original 71 residents still need assistance and at National there are 33 of the original 84 who remain. County staff said the plan estimates the funds could support relocation assistance for about 60 households, with priority given to eligible elderly and disabled homeowners, then homeowners, then elderly/disabled renters and finally renters.

Why it matters: The funds are intended to supplement private funds and to enable voluntary, dignified relocations. Staff emphasized they had reviewed Lexington Manor relocation account balances and believed sufficient funds remain after the reallocation.

Board action: The motion to approve the grant agreements and the budget amendment reallocating $270,288 and accepting $115,000 in additional CDBG funding was made by Commissioner R. Shawn Raley and seconded by Commissioner Lawrence D. Jarboe; the motion carried.

Ending: Staff said work would begin promptly once the state releases funds and that the county would report back on implementation and timelines.