Funds will help renovate substandard homes
THDA awards Grainger County, Bean Station grants totaling $750,000
April 9, 2021 – Tennessee Housing Development Agency has awarded two HOME Program grants totaling $750,000 to Grainger County and the town of Bean Station to help make much-needed repairs to substandard homes for elderly and disabled residents.
The Grainger County Government will use its $500,000 HOME grant to renovate or rebuild at least eight single-family homes located in the county, while Bean Station will repair at least five single-family homes located within the town limits with its grant of $250,000. The projects will benefit low- and very low-income individuals that do not have the financial resources to make needed improvements to their homes.
“Providing safe, decent housing is important for all Tennesseans, and with the help of these HOME funds, both Grainger County and Bean Station will be able to ensure more of its residents have access to just that,” THDA Executive Director Ralph M. Perrey said.
The HOME program is funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and is administered in part in Tennessee by THDA. During the most recent funding round, THDA awarded 22 competitive HOME grants statewide totaling $6.9 million
The next step for both the county and town will be to hold a public meeting outlining application procedures and grant guidelines. Once applications are received, a priority list will be formed based on the level of rehabilitation work required, as well as each applicant’s socioeconomic factors. Homes that cannot be brought up to code will not be considered for either project.
Each home selected will receive a per-unit subsidy for rehabilitation that will bring it up to code. Efficiency-sized dwellings can receive up to $58,378, while one-bedroom homes can receive up to $66,923, two-bedrooms to $81,377, three-bedrooms up to $105,276 and four or more bedrooms up to $115,560.
Financial assistance for home repairs will be provided in the form of a deferred grant that is forgivable at 20 percent per year if the family remains in compliance.
Clinch-Powell Resource Conservation and Development Council will administer the grants for the county and the town.
HOME grants must be used for the production, preservation, or rehabilitation of affordable housing for low and very low income families and individuals.
Photo by Wes Bunch. Picture IDs from left: Clinch Powell Counseling and Client Development Manager Susan Eribarne, Clinch Powell Deputy Executive Director Sabrina Seamon, Clinch Powell Outreach Coordinator Elizabeth Grisham, Grainger County Mayor Mike Byrd, state Rep. Jerry Sexton, U.S. Rep. Tim Burchett, THDA Industry and Government Affairs Liaison Katie Moore, Clinch Powell Home Repair Processor Sherri Fugate, Clinch Powell Board Member Dave Lietzke
