Perry grant is good news for residents of Sand Hill area

An announcement by the city of Perry on Wednesday was cause for excitement on Elaine Street.

The street is in the heart of the Sand Hill neighborhood between downtown and the Georgia National Fairgrounds. The city has gotten a $306,000 state grant to fix up homes in the area that are in disrepair.

Elaine Street residents were aware the city was applying for the grant and were excited to hear it had been approved. Owner-occupied, low-income homes will be eligible for the assistance, and that applies to most of Elaine Street.

Earl and Lucile Jones have lived in their home for more than 50 years. They said it needs a complete renovation, but it needs a new roof most of all.

“Lord, it would mean everything,” Lucile Jones said when asked what it would mean to get some assistance.

Even if they don’t get enough for a full renovation, she said any help would be appreciated.

The grant comes through the Community HOME Investment Program, or CHIP, administered by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs.

Robert Smith, Perry’s economic development director, said it’s the first time in many years that the city has gotten a CHIP grant.

“I think it will make a significant difference,” he said. “There are a lot of substandard houses in that neighborhood.”

The city probably won’t start taking applications for assistance until early July, Smith said. Applications will be considered on a first-come, first-serve basis until the money runs out.

He said no matching funds are required from the city, so there’s no cost in local dollars aside from the time of city staff.

Money will not be given directly to the homeowners, Smith said. Instead the city will hire contractors to do the work.

Benny Williams, who has lived on Elaine Street for 12 years, works at Perry Hospital and is nearing retirement. He said he can’t afford to make repairs to his house now and worries what his home will be like when he retires.

He also said getting any amount of help would mean a lot to him.

“I think that would be a God blessing,” he said. “The floors, a lot of things need to be done to this house.”

He has already done some work himself including painting it and building new front steps.

The CHIP grant is for local governments, nonprofit organizations and public housing authorities to improve homes in low income areas. It can go toward building new affordable homes or fixing up homes in low-income areas, according to the Department of Community Affairs webpage.

Although the city has been in contact with residents in the area throughout the application process, Smith said advertising also will be done to be sure everyone who is eligible is aware of it.

Once an applicant is deemed eligible, the home will be assessed to determine what work needs to be done. The city will then hire a contractor. No funds will be distributed directly to the homeowner, Smith said.

There are about 190 homes in the area outlined for the grant, Smith said, but only 80 of those are owner-occupied. It’s uncertain how many of the owner-occupied homes meet the other eligibility requirements.

Residents of the neighborhood who have questions may call Smith’s office at 478-988-2720.

This story was originally published June 3, 2016 at 3:54 PM with the headline "Perry grant is good news for residents of Sand Hill area."