City and County Seek THDA Grant Funding to Upgrade Housing

The City of Smithville is applying for a grant that will rehabilitate dilapidated homes at no cost to the homeowner.
During a special meeting Thursday the Smithville Aldermen authorized city officials to submit an application for $500,000 in funding through the Tennessee Housing Development Agency’s Home Grant program, which will help bring dilapidated homes up to code.
The county commission passed a resolution last month to apply to the program as well.
Homeowners who have at least one codes violation will be able to submit an application. Once received, the applications will be ranked based on a number of criteria, such as household income and the home’s location. Approved houses will be upgraded at no expense to the homeowner, with a maximum amount that can be applied toward each house.
Funding restrictions apply, such as the home must be owner occupied (not a rental) and funds must be limited to existing structures.
Funding can only go toward homes that can be rehabilitated to meet housing codes using up to the limited amount.
Cities and counties who apply will learn if they are approved for the grant this May after a THDA board meeting.
In other business, the aldermen adopted on second and final reading an ordinance changing the title of Hunter Hendrixson from Secretary-Treasurer to City Administrator. An ordinance was also adopted on second and final reading to require paper ballot voting for city property right’s voters in the Smithville Municipal Election in August.