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Craven County approves CDBG application to seek $950,000 for five home reconstructions and one rehab
Summary
The Board approved a resolution to submit a Community Development Block Grant application for $950,000 to rebuild or rehabilitate five owner-occupied, low- and moderate-income housing units and one alternate unit; a public hearing produced no public speakers.
Craven County commissioners on Tuesday approved a resolution authorizing the county to submit a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) application to the state Rural Economic Development District (N.C. Department of Commerce) seeking $950,000 to repair or replace severely damaged owner-occupied homes.
The grant application targets five primary units for work and one alternate unit, county consultant Kate Fursinger of Insight Consulting Group said. "$950,000 is the amount of the grant that we would be applying for," Fursinger told commissioners.
The funding request follows a second public hearing on the CDBG application in which no members of the public signed up to speak. Fursinger said the county received 27 applications and advanced five units plus one alternate after income-and-needs assessments and review by a housing selection committee that included county planning staff and Commissioner Smith.
The five selected properties include several the consultant characterized as "reconstruction" cases — demolition and replacement — because of failing foundations, buckling floors, leaking roofs and units the housing specialist determined could not reach HUD minimum heat requirements (70 degrees Fahrenheit). The one rehabilitation case, at 712 William Street, requires replacement of electrical wiring and foundation stabilization rather than full demolition, Fursinger said.
Fursinger said relocation assistance is included in the grant for occupants who must be temporarily displaced. "We have relocation funds also available within the grant … we'll find the housing for them and work with them to make sure it's meeting their needs," she said.
The board voted to adopt the resolution authorizing submission of the CDBG application, with commissioners voting in favor during the departmental matters item. The application must be submitted to the state by the end of the month, county staff said.
If the grant is awarded, the county plans to use the funds for demolition and reconstruction where required, and traditional rehab work where feasible. Eligible applicants must be homeowners and meet low- or moderate-income criteria under the CDBG program, Fursinger noted.
Next steps include finalizing the application package for state review and, if successful, working with selected homeowners on relocation, demolition, rehabilitation and rebuilding schedules.
