The City of Franklin’s plan to rehabilitate 20 to 30 homes belonging to low- and moderate-income families in its Cobbtown neighborhood is commendable.

It’s contingent on the city receiving a $1.4 million federal Community Development Block Grant, which provides funding to states through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

The Franklin Community Needs Assessment Team, which is a group of residents, chose the Cobbtown neighborhood because it felt there was a need to fix homes. The area lies between South Street and the CSX Railroad from Roosevelt to Stonewall Street.

Getting the funding will involve jumping through hoops, but if it comes to be, we would like to think it will be well worth it. Buildings need assessed and homeowners must be found to participate in the program. It’s our understanding they will receive funding to fix up their homes. Participating is voluntary.

But what an opportunity.

The objective of the program is to develop viable communities by providing decent housing and expanding economic opportunities for residents.

So if interested, call the city’s Department of Community Development at 562-8580.