Home grants received

The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) has awarded $6.9 million in housing funds to 25 rural cities and counties in Northeast Texas through its HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) Program.

Cherokee County communities receiving this HOME program funding are the Cities of Alto, Rusk and New Summerfield, $300,000 each to construct five homes. The funds represent the county's share of $14.8 million awarded statewide by TDHCA which will significantly help rural Texas improve its stock of existing housing for low income residents.

Statewide all but one award recipient will use the funds to repair or replace 113 deteriorating homes owned and lived in by individuals and families earning no more than 80 percent of the area median family income. Home repair assistance may include roof repair or replacement, as well as repairs to the electrical and plumbing systems.

If a home has deteriorated to the point it no longer is cost effective to repair, it may be demolished and replaced either by a traditional "site built" home or a manufactured home.

To be eligible to benefit from this home repair program, an individual or family must own and reside in the home; rental housing is not eligible. Homes must meet Texas Minimum Construction Standards once the rehabilitation work is completed.