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Federal stimulus funding totaling over three quarters of a million dollars is to be used to make a variety of needed improvements to South Maple Apartments in Shelbyville. (T-G Photo by Brian Mosely) [Order this photo] |
Over three quarters of a million dollars in federal stimulus money is planned to be used for improvements to South Maple Apartments by the Shelbyville Housing Authority.
It's part of $4 billion that is being used in an effort to create jobs by fixing up public housing projects across the nation. Shelbyville's cut of that money is $829,593.
Authority director Hershel Thrasher said that once the housing authority knew the dollar amount of the stimulus money, plans were submitted to the department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
According to Ronald Tillman, director of operations, most of the funding will be going to 46 units at South Maple.
"We have a five-year plan for everything we want to do for the housing authority," Tillman said, but explained that the federal stimulus money must be spent within two years.
Tillman also said he may take part of the stimulus money to pay for recent storm damage to roofs at Purdy Court housing, but grant money that would be available later in the year could be substituted to handle the improvements to South Maple.
"It evens out," Tillman said.
A total of $89,000 worth of painting and patching work is planned for the 46 apartments, plus $82,750 for new central heat and air units to replace the window air conditioners currently in each apartment.
Water meters for the 46 units will also be installed at a cost of $35,500, which will allow tenants to be responsible for their own bills. Shutters, or "curb appeal" will also be added to the apartments at a cost of $22,250 and new gutters and downspouts are to be added at a cost of $15,000.
Twelve of the apartments may undergo a redesign to add doors to units that only have one entrance and exit and adding a bedroom at a cost of $170,092. However, Tillman said to do that, they would probably lose four of the units to the upgrade, reducing to the number to eight.
Beautification is another project planned, with brick and siding work for the six buildings in the complex costing $32,000 and new windows for the 46 units totaling $75,000. Electrical renovation would take $23,000, which would add overhead lights to apartments.
The installation of water heaters for all 46 units will cost $20,000 and expenses for roofs and accessories for the apartments are slated to cost $81,342.
Parking issues at the complex will also be addressed, Tillman said, with $90,000 earmarked to add another lot, due to residents' concerns.
Administrative and professional work will cost a total of $92,959, according to documents submitted to HUD by the housing authority.
Thrasher also pointed out that a total of $193,250 of the stimulus funding, will be going to "green" energy conservation measures.
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What a waste of money!
With this much money being spent, please inspect this property weekly if necessary to ensure that it is taken care of. A lot of these repairs are necessary because people simply don't take care of the apartments....wish I could get some stimilus money to finish the renovations to my house.............but oh yeah I forgot I actually have to work and pay for my own and apparently everyone's in the housing projects. Guess mine will have to wait...........such is life.
I am unsure what repairs mentioned would be the residents fault? Are renters usually responsible for fixing roofs and putting in air conditioners or putting doors in building where there was never one or even doing the things each of us do to our own homes for appearance sake.
How can this be a waste of money when it is going to improve the property value? Maybe it isn't as much of the idea of the money, as it is you have a problem with people who have little income and need to be subsidized by our taxes. It amazes me that people screamed and yelled because the banks was giving loans to low income people to help them get out of the system ...people still scream and cry when they live in subsidized housing....people scream and cry saying Shelbyville does not need a Homeless Shelter.
Just were would "you" like for these people to live?? Under the bridge maybe? Or is that too close to home also?
I am all for helping people that want to help themselves, the bad thing is is that the people in the housing projects that want to help them selves are the minority which is why the majority thinks fixing up these places is a waste of money. There need to be better "rules" in place!
It could be said every government agency needs a better set of rules. I could definitely say that the TARP fund needs a better set of rules. Billions upon Billions wasted and still handing out Billions more to companies who are going to end up in the government's pocket in the end anyway. Look at Disability Social Security just for one minute...I believe Disability is a good thing for those who are unable to work. But we are giving disability to Drug addicts, Alcoholics, people who are as able to work as I am in fact people on disability are now allowed to work part time jobs and here I thought disable meant unable to work. Look at the Billions upon Billions of dollars we spend every year feeding people in other nations and protecting their country.. all while ours suffer. I do not hear the screaming and yelling about all those tax dollars. I only hear the screaming about our tax dollars when we are using it on the very people we should be using it on in the first place...Now That's Messed Up!!!
Amen, Dianatn.
Help the needs of our community by doing the things that really need to be done. Inspect, INSPECT!! all units to insure our tax money spent is being respected by the tenants, as we have to do our own homes. These units should have very strict rules. Why buy all new water heaters? This money is wasted if not needed. Now is not the time for new shutters or doors. We can create jobs with this money, sure but lets spread it out to the things most important during this time of hardship. Help our future by taking care of our schools. Our young peoople are going to have a heavy load on them!!!
I hope these folks that live in the housing realize that everyone with a job, in this county is paying for this. Without a doubt every housing project in this country is in a poor state. The majority of the issues are caused by the people that live in them or the element that this type of area attract. They have always an area where drugs are widely avalable. This brings in those that have no reguard for the property. There are those who use the housing as a way to get them selves out of this mess, and take care of what they are given. But these are the exception rather than the rule. Yes some of the money needs to be used for improvments. But shutters, how about a computer room where the folks can take on- line classes in order to help them work there way out of the projects. How about a garden area where thay would be required to help grow food to supliment the cost of the food stamp program. How about spending the money on real programs that would bring an end to the spending of the money.
DianaTN must never listen or read anything but the liberal media, Those of us who want a strong country have been screaming for years about giving money away to countries who ruling factors use it to line their pockets. That money should be spent here on worthwhile projects like supporting our elderly, helping those who need a bridge to finanical help, not those who think living off the system is a right. Why not put those who live in the housing to work painting, and landscaping, same with food stamp receipents they should be doing some community service since they are not working away. Teach them a trade at the same time and give them a little pride in life. I believe in gov't housing as a way to provide a helping hand, but not as a long term solution. Also as far as the screaming about giving loans to the people to get them out of gov't housing you see where that has gotten us, I was against that. They soon found out that you had to pay taxes, utilities, upkeep and other expenses that had been supplied by the tax payers before was not available. Welcome to the real world of those who try to work and get ahead. Go to Tullahoma and look at the Gov't apts they have, a lot of money has been spent there over the last few years and they are already in a shambles. Why take care of it if you don't have a financial stake, again I say put them to work helping out.
Everything I said is basic truth if that is what the liberal media is saying then why should you have a problem with it!!!! Or can you not handle the truth??