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All Departments Administration Corrections Development Services Facilities Management Human Resources Information Technology Library Services Management and Budget Services Natural Resources Management Neighborhood and Human Services Parks and Recreation Public Safety Public Works Veterans Services Waste ServicesEscambia County joins the National Community Development Association in celebrating National Community Development Week, focusing on the contributions that the Community Development Block Grant Program has provided for Escambia County residents.
The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners recently adopted a proclamation recognizing April 2-6 as National Community Development Week in Escambia County.
Escambia County regularly utilizes its CDBG funding for activities that support low- and moderate-income households in the county. One activity undertaken with CDBG funds is the moderate rehabilitation program, which assists participants with code-related repairs to their homes to make them safe and habitable. Homes are also tested for lead-based paint, which is abated if found.
For 69-year-old Escambia County resident Grace Davis, using the program meant she was able to make significant repairs to her home including new roofing, gutters, heating and cooling system, exterior lighting and flooring. The repairs totaled approximately $29,000.
Davis has lived in her home for 25 years and is retired on a fixed income. She said the rehabilitation program has been a huge blessing to her.
"I can go to bed now and sleep and not wonder how I'm going to be able to afford these upgrades...," Davis said. "It's an outstanding program for people like me who need work done on their homes and can't pay for it out of their own pockets."
Although she has taken great care of her house over the years, Davis said the need for repairs has accumulated over time. Her primary issues were a leaking roof and an air conditioning unit that wasn't functioning properly, Davis said, leaving her cold in the winter and hot in the summer.
"You just can't imagine how much the program really helped me with my limited income," Davis said. "I work hard to try to keep things going around here, but the house was built in '93, so things had gotten to where repairs needed to be done, because nothing lasts forever."
Last year, 12 income-eligible homeowners were assisted through the program, which provides extensive repairs to the property. The Escambia County Neighborhood Enterprise Division is seeing an upward trend in elderly applicants assisted under the program, with about 65 percent of the housing rehabilitation funding serving elderly households.
Although applications for the CDBG program are not being accepted at this time, the county hopes to reopen the waiting list in the future. With over 100 names already on the waiting list, it is a strong indication of the continued need for this funding and repair assistance in the community.
"These CDBG funds are instrumental in helping provide quality of life improvements to residents and neighborhoods that may not otherwise have the opportunity to complete them," Escambia County Neighborhood Enterprise Division Manager Meredith Reeves said. "Escambia County is committed to using CDBG funding to assist residents with projects to improve their neighborhoods and repairs to help keep their homes safe."
John Clark, CEO of Council on Aging of West Florida, said CDBG funds from Escambia County are a huge help for programs like the Rural Elderly Assistance Program, which delivers meals and provides assistance to senior citizens who live in rural areas. Escambia County provides $47,000 in CDBG funds to Council on Aging of West Florida annually.
Clark said the county funds are also beneficial because they help leverage additional federal and state money for Council on Aging of West Florida. As a local nonprofit, Clark said every dollar helps.
“It’s very important,” Clark said. “We’re not a large organization, so every bit of money we get is a tremendous help for us in terms of serving seniors in need. And overall, I just stress to people what we’re trying to do with all of our programs, we’re trying to get seniors active and engaged and healthy and help them stay as long as possible in their own homes so they don’t have to go to any type of institution like a nursing home.”
Other projects implemented within the past year using CDBG funds include:
The mission of Escambia County government is to provide efficient, responsive services that enhance our quality of life, meet common needs and promote a safe and healthy community.
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