Dec. 5, 2023 – Tennessee Housing Development Agency has awarded nearly $500,000 in grant funding to two Hawkins County municipalities to make much-needed repairs to substandard homes for elderly and disabled residents.
THDA awarded a pair of $249,100 HOME Program grants to the cities of Surgoinsville and Mount Carmel to renovate or rebuild single-family homes located within their jurisdictions. Each locality will be able to repair or rebuild up to three homes. The project will benefit very-low and low-income individuals that do not have the financial resources to make needed improvements to their residences.
“Providing safe, decent housing is important for all Tennesseans, and with the help of these HOME funds, Surgoinsville and Mount Carmel will be able to ensure more residents have access to just that,” THDA Executive Director Ralph M. Perrey said.
Surgoinsville Mayor Merrell Graham said the city was excited to participate in the HOME program.
“This program is one that really goes to help the people that need it the most,” Graham said. “We’re excited to receive it and know it will be put to good use making these repairs that people can’t afford to make themselves."
Mount Carmel Mayor Pat Stilwell echoed Graham’s sentiments.
"We are really glad to get this grant funding,” Stilwell said. “This money will do a lot of good and will help people here that really need it.”
The next step for both towns will be to hold public meetings that outline 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 situation.
Each home selected under the program will receive repairs that will bring it up to code. If the hard cost of repairs exceeds more than 75 percent of the home’s appraised value, the funds will be used for reconstruction.
The grants are being administered by First Tennessee Development District. Anyone seeking additional information on the program should contact 423-928-0224.
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 11 competitive HOME grants statewide totaling $4.9 million.
HOME grants must be used for the production, preservation, or rehabilitation of affordable housing for low- and very low-income families and individuals.
