Newton council approves amendment to scattered-site housing rehab grant after resident complaints

The Newton City Council on Dec. 3 unanimously approved an amendment to the city’s scattered-site housing rehabilitation grant that replaces the original targeted beneficiaries and reduces the number of homes to be rehabilitated to eight.

Community Development Director Ben Willis told the council the grant from the North Carolina Department of Commerce’s Rural Economic Development Division originally targeted 15 pre-selected homes; at application time five were selected and the other ten came from a waiting list. Willis said only four of those 15 remain eligible now because some properties have judgments, unpaid taxes, applicants died or applicants withdrew. The amendment adds four newly selected homes that were approved by the program’s selection committee.

During the public hearing, resident Linda Flowers said work at her house has been under way far longer than the three-week timeline she was told, that the crew “has torn up more than they have fixed,” and that ongoing problems include uneven floors and low water pressure in her bathroom. “I’m tired and no one’s trying to help me,” Flowers said. Willis acknowledged he was familiar with her case and said the program faces a limited pool of contractors: “We’re held to the contractors that bid,” he said, and noted the statewide shortage of contractors for this sort of work.

Council Member Beverly Danner asked whether the $750,000 referenced in discussion would be used for the remaining houses; Willis said there are limits on per-house spending and staff will attempt to use as much of the award as possible within those limits.

The council closed the public hearing and approved the amendment by unanimous vote. The ordinance and associated records are on file in the city clerk’s office.