Bolivar seeks grants to help rehab homes

BOLIVAR, Tenn. — Big changes could be coming to Bolivar. The city said it recently applied for two grants that would help homeowners rehab properties that need updating.

Drive through east Bolivar and you will notice some boarded-up homes, dilapidated structures and trash in yards.

Corene Perry lives in Whiteville but travels to Bolivar often. “I see a lot of homes that need sprucing,” she said.

The city said a new program could change the east part of town. Bolivar Compliance Officer Ricky Watkins said the city applied for grants with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Tennessee Housing Development Agency that would give homeowners money to repair their property.

“They do everything from changing windows and doors to insulation, to paint, to trim, to wallboard, floors, ceilings, roofs,” Watkins said.

The city said homeowners would have to apply for the program and meet certain requirements.

Watkins said homeowners may have to come up with several hundred dollars of their own money, a fraction of the $40,000 he said could be spent per home.

“If we can get pride in the neighborhoods, I think we can get pride back in the city,” Watkins said.

The city said many residents are elderly and live on a fixed income. Perry supports the program because she said people need help. “That’s real good,” Perry said. “Everybody should apply for that because that is good.”

The city said it expects to hear back about the grants within the next several months.

The city will host an informational meeting for residents at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at City Hall. Watkins said they hope to get feedback from homeowners about repairs and what needs to be done.