CONWAY, SC- Glenn Graham spent Monday preparing to move out of his 66 year old home on Bucksport Road. Graham said the house is full of memories, but it’s falling apart. He told News 13 the roof and floor are sinking and he doesn’t have enough money to pay for repairs.
Graham applied for a low-income grant through Horry County’s Community Development office. He was expecting renovations, but instead received a brand new home.
“I think they did a magnificent job,” said Graham.
The Community Development office gets $2.5 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development annually. Director Diana Seydlorsky said $ 1 million goes toward rehabilitation projects for low income housing.
“They don’t have heat or they don’t have air, maybe a new roof, windows,” she said.
Applicants are required to submit proof of their finances, according to Seydlorsky. She also sends an inspector to the residence to decide what needs to be fixed. Seydlorsky said Graham’s home was dilapidated beyond repair.
“It was just too far gone,” she said. “We were going to have to take it to the studs and even the studs weren’t good enough.”
She decided it was cheaper to build him and entirely new home. The re-construction cost $80,000.
“We don’t look out into the county and say oh they don’t care, they don’t deserve it,” stated Seydlorsky.
Graham’s home is the first reconstruction project in South Carolina, entirely funded by CDBG grants. He applied for assistance over three years ago. Seydlorsky said he’ll be moving into his new home later this week.
To apply for a CDBG grant call (843) 915-7033
