As turkey day approaches the staff and contractors at NeighborWorks have been very busy.  We told Mrs. Hubbard that we would try to finish before the holidays and we plan to turn over the keys next Wednesday, November 25^th at 10:00 a.m. 

The site looked like an ant farm today.  There were people/workers swarming all over it.  I hope you will have a chance to drive by and see the cottage and make time to join us on Wednesday.  Watch the slide show and you can have an idea of what has been happening this last week.

We will all count our blessings and reminding ourselves of what we are thankful for next week.  Personally speaking, I am very thankful that I live in a generous community that is committed to taking care of the least among us.  So let me say thank you to all who contributed and all who have sent us their prayers for good weather and no glitches.  Mrs. Hubbard will spend this winter in a warm, safe, secure and efficient cottage.  God bless all of you during the holiday season, thank you for making this dream for Mrs. Hubbard a reality.

Join us Wednesday!!

Columbus Cottage #2 got the go ahead last night as City Council approved the conditional re-zoning of Ms. Hubbard’s lot.

We will be kicking off our annual campaign tomorrow, Thursday, August 27th at 4:00 p.m.   The kick off will be at the home she is currently living in, located at:   1420 50th Street (near Marvin’s Market).

I hope to see you there.

NeighborWorks® Columbus of Columbus, Georgia is submitting an application to the Department of Housing and Urban Development under the second round of Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP). Funds in the amount of approximately $15,000,000 will be sought to help stabilize as many as 18 different census tracts in the greater Columbus area. This plan would include the purchase of vacant, abandoned and foreclosed properties. These lots would be rehabbed and sold to those earning from below 50% up to 120% of the Area Median Income.
 
The Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) was established by Section III of Division B of the Housing and Economic Recovery Act (HERA), 2008.   HERA provided funding to assist states and localities in the redevelopment of abandoned and foreclosed Homes.
 
The Draft of the application requesting the funding will be placed on NeighborWorks® Columbus’ website at http://www.nwcolumbus.org. The Draft may also be reviewed at the following locations between the hours of 8:00 and 5:00 Monday through Thursday after July 15:
 
      NeighborWorks® Columbus * 18 Eleventh Street * Columbus GA 31901
 
A Public Comment Period begins on July 8, 2008 and ends September 30, 2009. 
Please comment on this post or written comments may be submitted to:  

NeighborWorks®

18 Eleventh Street                
Columbus, Georgia 31901
Attn: David Fox           
Or via email at dfox@nwcolumbus.org
         
 For questions regarding the grant, please contact David Fox at (706) 324-4663.

The Columbus Cottage Program was originally designed to assist elderly indigent residents living in substandard conditions on property they own.  Ms. Hubbard had a unique situation; her home had become landlocked by commercial development.  The lot her home sits on is not much larger than the house itself and would not accommodate a cottage.  Fortunately, her husband passed on another lot down the street a bit in his will.  This will allow us to build her cottage on this lot, in a residential neighborhood and take her out of both poor living conditions and out of a commercial zone.  First things first, we must go to the Planning Advisory Council (PAC) and ask for a conditional re-zoning from RMF2 to RMF1.  Then, based on the staff and PAC recommendations, the City Council will need to have it on first and second reading.  Hopefully, we will be able to begin construction of Ms. Hubbards cottage by the end of July.  Stay tuned.

Welcome to the NeighborWorks Columbus Cottage Campaign Blog.