The City of Valdosta held a ribbon-cutting Tuesday, December 11, at 9:30 a.m., for a newly reconstructed home on 708 Floyd Street. The reconstructed home was built utilizing Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding.

This home reconstruction was a CDBG/Land Bank Authority joint project that took three months to complete. Homeowner Carrie Kelley lived in an 850 sq. foot home with no heat. Now, she has a 1235 sq. foot home with central heat and AC.

“My old house was very dilapidated, rain would come in and you could see through the roof. My new house is beautiful, I love it! I am so appreciative of this program that allowed me to get a new home through the Neighborhood Development Division of the City of Valdosta. I encourage more people in our community to apply for this program,” said Kelley.

Kelley’s new home is one many CDBG homes that the city has reconstructed in the past several years to eliminate substandard housing within the city limits. It is one of reasons why the city was recognized by the Georgia Initiative for Community Housing (GICH) program for its determination to provide decent, safe and affordable housing and increased economic opportunities for citizens of the City of Valdosta.

“It is always a joy for us to cut ribbons on our reconstruction projects. We started this program trying to eliminate substandard housing starting in 1987. That was a long time ago! In 2002, we set the goal to eliminate substandard housing by 2020 and that’s what we are working on. We are always trying to reach that goal, this is an ongoing project for us. I am so happy for Carrie Kelley, she has a beautiful new home,” said District 3 Councilmember Joseph “Sonny” Vickers.

The Neighborhood Development Division, which oversees the CDBG entitlement funds, is responsible for directing, coordinating and managing all Valdosta programs receiving local, state or federal funding for neighborhood and community development, which also includes the First Time Homebuyer Education, the Single Unit Housing Rehabilitation Program and the Southern Hospitality Group Workcamp.

To be eligible for the reconstruction home program, a homeowner must meet income eligibility, must reside in the home, and the home must be deemed unsafe for occupancy.