Norfolk's grants for Wards Corner renovation hit snag

NORFOLK

Janice Miller called right away when she heard that Norfolk planned to provide $1 million in grants and loans to help fix up homes in three Wards Corner neighborhoods.

She figured the program could be her chance to finally modernize her 66-year-old Monticello Village home.

But she and dozens of other residents interested in the grants and loans hit a roadblock almost immediately. Although the city has pledged the money to homeowners in Denby Park, Monticello Village and Oakdale Farms, neither city officials nor the Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority has figured out how to administer the program. They also don't know when the money will be available.

So Miller and other residents - many of whom say they've waited years for the city to help their aging and deteriorating communities - might have to wait a little longer.

"At this point, we're just taking names and phone numbers," said Jim Gehman, assistant executive director of development for the city's redevelopment and housing authority. "We understand the strategy; we just don't know the details."

Gehman said he hopes it will take a few weeks to sort out the details of the program.

The money is for homeowners looking to make exterior improvements, interior renovations or put on an addition.

Among the decisions that need to be made is whether the authority, which will oversee the distribution of the money, will take applications in the order they arrive or give some sections of the 2,100-household area preference.

That decision might prove to be important because if initial interest in the program is any indicator, the money might not be around for long, Gehman said. The program is expected to help 32 homeowners and five landlords with loans and grants from $15,000 to $50,000 depending on the scope of work.

In the first week and a half since the funding was announced, the authority has received 56 calls from property owners like Miller interested in the assistance, said Judy Haller, the agency's director of residential rehabilitation.

"This neighborhood has been hungry for this kind of help for so long," said Councilwoman Theresa Whibley, who represents the three neighborhoods. "They want to improve their community. It's a wonderful sign."

The grants and loans will last through this fiscal year, which ends next June. Councilmen Barclay C. Winn and Don Williams said they hope the city can match or increase the amount for the next fiscal year.

"Everyone is not going to be helped this year, but it's not a one-shot deal," Williams said. "It's an ongoing thing we're going to be doing for a number of years. Get an application, get on the list, and we'll fund as many as we can."

Miller, a single mother who has lived in her house 23 years, said she hopes that despite the delay, the city will be able to offer her a grant.

"I'd really like to modernize - bring my house up to the level of some of the houses around me," she said. "This would be like a godsend opportunity if it comes through."

 Pilot writer Harry Minium contributed to this report.

Meghan Hoyer, (757) 446-2293, meghan.hoyer@pilotonline.com