Housing initiatives in 2024 announced at Perry County Housing Summit

The Housing Summit was hosted on Dec. 16 where it was announced that several initiatives related to housing and home repair would be kicked off. 

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) State Director Nivory Gordon hosted the event with Perry County Commission Chairman Albert Turner and Sowing Seeds of Hope. Attendants were given applications and information about the USDA's 502 and 504 housing programs.

At the summit Turner said that he announced that a new housing program will be kicked off in 2024 to help residents in need of home repairs. In a post on his Facebook page, Turner said that $5 million is available from the Hurricane Sally-Zeta grant program to make the initiative possible.

Additionally the county will apply for an HGA grant from the USDA for an extra $100,000. 

"New homes and improved homes increase the tax base so that county services can expand and improve," Turner said.

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It was also announced that the Perry County Commission was in talks with the Selma Housing Authority about possibly expanding into the county through an MOU. 

"The initial plan is for Selma Housing Authority to purchase tax-distressed properties and after three years place these properties back on the tax rolls with new or rehabilitated housing," Turner said. "The Selma Housing Authority is poised to participate largely in developing affordable housing in Perry County."

A $1,500 grant for Sowing Seeds of Hope was announced to expand and recruit for its Self Help Housing Program. Turner said that it has 21 new homeowners with no foreclosure and that the program will help acquiring properties for clients. 

Lastly, plans are in place to develop the Barnett-King Center into a shelter for people in case of property destruction from natural disasters. The USDA and Sowing Seeds of Hope will help with planning the housing component. 

"The multipurpose center will be the centerpiece of the housing program," Turner said.