USDA partners with Paris to rebuild neighborhoods
PARIS, Tenn. — The city of Paris has officially partnered with the USDA department of rural development in an effort to rebuild certain parts of the city and house low income families.
The new program will give Paris residents the opportunity to purchase vacant lot spaces for very little money. “The city is going to offer these lots to eligible applicants for $1 to $10, depending on when they work their actual details out,” says USDA Area Specialist, Mary Hickman.
Families making less than $20,000 are eligible to apply to buy a lot, and receive a loan for a home construction. “This will be a complete package where we construct the home, we can see the lawn, the shrubs, the driveway, hook up the city water, city sewer, anything necessary,” says Hickman.
Currently a total of six lots are spread throughout the city of Paris, and city leaders are hoping to fill them. Applicants are not required to make down payments, however applicant’s must pay the first years worth of homeowners insurance once approved.
Paris city manager Kim Foster, said it is a great program. “We’re very excited to partner with the USDA. It’s a win-win situation for the city. It will allow us to divest property that the city has no use for. Hopefully It allows individuals in our community to afford housing that they otherwise might not be able to.”
