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Buckingham supervisors back plan to pursue state CDBG to repair homes for low- and moderate-income residents
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Summary
Southeast RCAP presented a plan to use Department of Housing and Community Development planning and construction grants (CDBG/CIG) to repair multiple homes; the board voted unanimously to support moving forward with an application process.
At the Jan. 13 meeting, the board voted to support a county application process for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding after a presentation by Kenneth Rogers of the Southeast Rural Community Assistance Project (Southeast RCAP).
Rogers told the board the organization serves low- and moderate-income homeowners and maintains a waiting list in Buckingham County for indoor plumbing repairs, failed septic systems and well drilling. "We are here today because we have a large list of clients in Buckingham County who currently are on that waiting list to either get an indoor bathroom, a failed septic system repaired, or a well drilled for them," Rogers said. He described pursuing a planning grant (up to $50,000) from the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) as the first step toward applying for a community improvement grant (CIG) that could fund repairs for as many as 10–12 homes per grant.
Rogers said the program typically places a five‑year deed of trust on properties receiving work; the deed is forgiven gradually so homeowners do not have to repay. "Deed of trust is placed there for 5 years and each year or each month, a portion of that is forgiven," he said, adding the program requires homeowners to maintain taxes and insurance and to demonstrate ownership.
Board members asked whether the county needed to commit matching funds; Rogers said the program is designed to be largely self-supporting with DHCD funds and other sources, but the county must formally agree to participate and sign required documents if the grant application advances. A motion to support the project was made and seconded; the board voted in favor with no recorded opposition.
The board directed staff to work with Southeast RCAP, the county administrator and the community development director to pursue the planning grant and to prepare any required county authorizations for future grant submissions.
