A Woodbury woman hoping to take advantage of free home repairs being offered by the Cannon County government got a lot more than she was bargaining for—an entirely new home!
A celebration of Helen Miller’s new home will be held Tuesday afternoon, November 7. Cannon County Mayor Mike Gannon and Woodbury Mayor Andy Duggin will be among the guests.
WHAT: Celebration of New Home
WHEN: November 7, 20174:00 p.m.
WHERE: 508 West High StreetWoodbury, TN 37190
The county’s home repair program was made possible by a $500,000 HOME grant funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and awarded by the Tennessee Housing Development Agency (THDA). By rule, the funding must be used to fix health and safety issues with local houses where the homeowner is elderly, disabled, or low income.
Miller was approved to receive assistance with repairs to the West High Street home where she has lived since 1975. But when the contractor, Chris Whitaker Construction of Christina, saw that the home was infested with termites and beyond repair, county officials began working with THDA and USDA-Rural Development to change the scope of the project.
Ultimately, the home was demolished and a new house built on the same lot.
As the state’s housing agency, THDA is responsible for administering federal grants from the HOME program, which is funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Grant funding must be used to assist homeowners of low income, senior citizens, and/or individuals with disabilities who cannot afford to bring their homes up to code.
