By Scott Atnip
Special to The Item
HUNTSVILLE —
The Walker County Community Development Corp. is nearing completion of its first home rebuilding project on Old Colony Road and is now working to create a list of possible applicants to purchase this home or participate in future projects.
The Walker County CDC was created to help revitalize low and moderate income neighborhoods by fulfilling three goals — improving neighborhood safety, assisting with neighborhood cleanup, and improving the stock of low to moderate income housing.
According to CDC Board President Chris Mahlen, the group got started by volunteers working through Impact Huntsville and noticing that more substantial work needed to be completed.
“Soon after forming the CDC, we had an opportunity to purchase and rebuild a home on Old Colony Road, and thanks to the hard work of local volunteers and generous donors, we are close to completing our first home,” Mahlen said. “Now we are looking for help from the community in finding a qualified family to purchase the home.”
Board member Larry Cruse says that because the CDC is a non-profit organization families must fall below a threshold of 80 percent of the Area Median Family Income.
“We have volunteers who will be happy to meet with families to determine whether or not they qualify,” Cruse said. “The board plans on compiling a list of names of families who might be interested in this, or other future projects.
“If families are interested in applying to purchase a home, and have an income below 80 percent of AMFI or about $40,950 for a family of four, and are able to get the necessary home loan, they should leave a message for the CDC at the United Way offices at (936) 291-8986.”
Mahlen adds that he hopes that churches, service organizations and neighbors pass this along to any families that might be interested.
