FRANKLIN
Gladys Barham is the latest recipient of the City of Franklin/Western Tidewater Home Consortium program funds. Typically, the funds are used to renovate homes, said Community Development Director Donald Goodwin. However, Goodwin said that due to the home’s condition, it was actually cheaper to tear it down and build anew.

Barham said she originally applied 10 years ago for this program, and she kept applying until she was finally successful 2 years ago. It was all worth it.

“It is very good, I love it,” she said. “When it was under construction, I’d come here every day and watched every step of the process.”

LaTisha Barham, Gladys’s daughter, will also be living with her in the new home.

“I’m just thankful for the opportunity,” she said. “The City of Franklin has been good to us.

“Can we move in now,” LaTisha asked with a smile a couple of weeks ago, to which, the answer was yes.

Goodwin said they started construction in July 2013 and were met with delay after delay due to the weather and some problems with the land.

“Mr. Goodwin and his team did a great job,” said Mayor Raystine Johnson-Ashburn. “I’m happy for Mrs. Gladys. It always feels good to impact the citizen’s lives with HOME funds.”

The minimum level of assistance for HOME funds is $1,000, and the maximum is $45,000. Home owners can apply for substantial reconstruction on a case-by-case basis to potentially rise about the $45,000 figure.

The new home also includes energy efficient improvements as well as property improvements. The funds come in the form of a low-interest potentially forgivable loan.

“I’m excited to move in,” Barham said.