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Wright family urges council to revisit rehab decision after seven years on waitlist
Summary
A daughter reading for Alfreda and Percival Wright asked council to swap the family's lot into a new subdivision after their SHIP-funded rehabilitation was denied; city staff said SHIP rules and previous council choices constrained options but offered to meet to explore alternatives.
A family that spent seven years on a City of Cocoa housing rehabilitation waitlist asked the council on the public-comment docket to revisit their case and consider swapping the family's lot into a newly built subdivision so the elderly homeowners can obtain an affordable home.
Araya (speaking for Alfreda and Percival Wright) read a request that the council support "swapping the lot on which their family home currently sits with one of the newly constructed homes in Michael C. Blake's subdivision," describing the Wrights as elderly, long-time taxpayers who were "left out" after the city denied their rehabilitation in August.
Freda Bridal, the applicant represented in the public comment, said insurance costs jumped and the house now needs reconstruction. "I waited 7 years, and I don't want to be another 7 years," she told the council, asking the council to "please reconsider and look at it again."
City Manager Colleen responded that the state SHIP (State Housing Initiatives Partnership) guidelines do not allow putting the amount of funds required into a home that effectively needs a complete rebuild. She said council previously chose to use limited dollars to serve the greatest number of applicants rather than fund expensive reconstructions for individual properties. Colleen also said the lots in the Michael C. Blake subdivision were sold to Lennar under a development agreement and that Lennar's obligations include resale to very low- and moderate-income buyers at HUD-ceiling prices; swapping lots is therefore not a straightforward option.
Colleen offered to meet with Mrs. Wright and her daughter and asked them to call Colleen in the morning to schedule a discussion. Multiple council members expressed sympathy, said they would pursue any available resources and encouraged the family to follow up with staff.
What happens next: Staff offered to meet and walk the Wrights through options; the transcript shows no formal motion or change in policy. Council members asked staff to report back if alternative funding or program solutions are identified.
Direct quotes from the meeting are limited to public comment and the city manager's explanation to ensure accuracy.
