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Richland Rebuild unlocks new home for longtime resident (Page 269)

Because
of a housing program in Richland County, a longtime resident now has a new home
where a building in disrepair once stood.

Josephine
Hall is the first person to receive a new house through Richland Rebuild, which
launched in October 2018 to help households facing homelessness because of poor
and unsafe living conditions.

Family, friends and county officials welcomed Hall to her new home on Tolliver Street during a dedication ceremony Thursday afternoon.

“I am just delighted to be back on the street where I was born,” Hall said. “It has meant so much to me and everybody concerned has been a part of this thing, and I’m truly, truly grateful.”

Richland
Rebuild is one of two rehabilitation programs the county launched in 2018. The
other, Operation One Touch, assists with major home repairs up to $12,000. The
programs are funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and
implemented by the county’s Community Development Division.

Homes
that are found to be beyond repair and unsafe during Operation One Touch become
eligible for Richland Rebuild, which involves tearing down the existing
dwelling and building a new house. The county will rebuild two homes per year
as part of Richland Rebuild.

“What
excites me is the department is growing,” said Jocelyn Jennings, coordinator
for Richland County Community Development. “We have new programs. We’re
benefiting a population we weren’t before.”

Hall
first sought home repair assistance from Richland County in 2008 but did not
meet the criteria for the existing repair programs at that time.

When
the county launched the new programs in 2018, Hall regained hopes of making her
bathroom handicap-accessible through Operation One Touch.

County
officials visited her to find floors caving in, a lack of heat and air, and
problems with the electrical system. The conditions were severe enough that
Hall qualified for Richland Rebuild.

Community
Development staff convinced Hall to allow the county to do more than improve
the bathroom.

“The
team, when they evaluated the home, decided that she was a little bit more
deserving and there was a little bit more they could do,” said Richland County
Councilmember Dalhi Myers, who is Hall’s District 10 representative. “So the
Richland County Rebuild program was tooled up to help us get her back in what
is now a really, really, really lovely home for her to enjoy her golden years.”

Hall
is regarded as the matriarch of her family and the Little Camden community
because of her longtime involvement in family and civic committees. She is also
well known for her original poetry. At Thursday’s dedication, she read a poem
that touched on how she felt: “grateful, thankful and truly blessed.”

Thanks
to furniture donations from friends, community members and local churches,
Hall’s new home came fully furnished.

Hall
said she felt like she must have done some good throughout her life to have the
county and community rally around her since the repairs began.

“It
is a dream that has come true,” Hall said.

Those
interested in learning more and applying for the Operation One Touch and
Richland Rebuild programs can visit the Richland County Community Planning and
Development Department at 2020 Hampton Street, Columbia.

Richland Rebuild unlocks new home for longtime resident

2019-07-25
By: John
On: July 25, 2019
In: Community News, Government

Because of a housing program in Richland County, a longtime resident now has a new home where a building in disrepair once stood. Josephine HallContinue Reading

Elgin Lights to open this month for fundraiser

2019-07-25
By: John
On: July 25, 2019
In: Events

Elgin Lights will open for one weekend July 26 – 28 for a Christmas in July event to raise funds for the construction of CampContinue Reading

Brookhaven names yard of the month

2019-07-25
By: John
On: July 25, 2019
In: Community News

The Brookhaven HOA has announced their Brookhaven Community Beautiful Yard of the Month for July: Cantel McCoy 1000 Coralbean Way. There were 20 homes nominated.Continue Reading

Foundation joins co-op in promoting STEM education

2019-07-25
By: John
On: July 25, 2019
In: Business, Education

Celebrate Freedom Foundation (CFF) has entered into an arrangement with Fairfield Electric Co-Op to deliver STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) enhancement training in theContinue Reading

Students volunteers at local food bank

2019-07-25
By: John
On: July 25, 2019
In: Military Service, Non Profit

Story and photos by Jennifer Scales, Columbia VA Health Care System Public Affairs Dana DeVeaux, a high school senior with hopes to attend either Yale,Continue Reading

Primal Gourmet team earns Top Chef honors

2019-07-25
By: John
On: July 25, 2019
In: Business

Russell Kerman and the crew of Primal Gourmet, was named the 2019 Top Chef by a panel of judges at the South Carolina Farm BureauContinue Reading

277 bridge replacement work underway

2019-07-25
By: John
On: July 25, 2019
In: Community News

The S.C. Department of Transportation (SCDOT) has started construction on SC 277 Northbound Bridge over Interstate 77 in Richland County. The project is part ofContinue Reading

Coast Guard helicopter lands at Columbia Owens Field

2019-07-19
By: John
On: July 19, 2019
In: Military Service

A Coast Guard MH65D helicopter arrived at Owens Field in Columbia the morning of July 10. Ken Plesser, Coast Guard Auxiliary Aircraft Commander and NavyContinue Reading

Street naming ceremony honoring pastor August 2

2019-07-19
By: John
On: July 19, 2019
In: Community News

A street naming ceremony honoring the late Rev. Tryon Eichelberger, Sr. of Columbia will be held August 2 at 1 pm. The official street signContinue Reading

Columbia VA helps veterans with basic needs

2019-07-19
By: John
On: July 19, 2019
In: Military Service

Story and photos by Jennifer Scales – Columbia VA Health Care System Public Affairs Shoes, blankets, socks, sweat shirts, toiletries and other items were providedContinue Reading

Richland 2 graduate earns National Merit Scholarship

2019-07-19
By: John
On: July 19, 2019
In: Education

Spring Valley High School graduate Paul R. Dubberly is the most recent recipient of a college-sponsored National Merit Scholarship. Dubberly will be attending Clemson UniversityContinue Reading

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