Petroleum Brownfields Assessment Project
In April, 2008, the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control received a $200,000 grant from the Environmental Protection Agency to inventory and assess former petroleum storage sites in Anderson. The project's goal is to identify, assess, and address potential petroleum contamination so that it does not impede the redevelopment of a property. The study will emphasize the former mill villages. DHEC will manage and administer the project. The City is partnering with DHEC in the project. This will be updated to City Council at the December 8, 2008, meeting at 6 p.m.
Homeownership and Housing Rehabilitation Assistance Available for Anderson City
Residents
The Anderson City/County HOME Consortium, comprised of the City of Anderson, the unincorporated areas of Anderson County and the City of Belton, has been awarded $1.3 million in Homeownership Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) funds from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The City of Anderson anticipates receiving approximately $357,227 of the $1.3 million allocated to the consortium. In past years, the City of Anderson was awarded HOME funds on a competitive basis through the SC State Housing Finance and Development Authority to do owner occupied housing rehabilitation projects and to provide down payment and closing costs assistance to first time home buyers. As a member of the consortium the City of Anderson will now receive HOME funds as an entitlement.
The City of Anderson will use Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME funds to continue its on-going neighborhood revitalization efforts. HOME funds will be used primarily to assist low to moderate income owner occupants. Owner occupants living in housing located within a city redevelopment area are eligible to apply for assistance.
The City of Anderson will also utilize its HOME funds by assisting first time home buyers that are participants of the Joint Venture for Affordable Housing (JVAH) Program. Eligible participants may receive land for construction, down payment and closing costs assistance. Applicants must be low to moderate income, a first time home buyer, employed for at least two years in the same field of work, meet credit requirements, debt to income ratios and all other required criteria in order to qualify for assistance.
June is National Homeownership Month. City of Anderson staff will be celebrating this occasion by collaborating with Anderson County to host an information meeting regarding housing assistance that is available to the Anderson community. The public is invited to attend a free information meeting at 7:00 pm on June 12, 2008 at the Civic Center of Anderson. Applications for assistance will be available during the meeting. Persons that have previously submitted applications for the City of Anderson's Housing Rehabilitation Program or the JVAH Program that are currently on the waiting list do not have to resubmit applications for consideration. All applications will be processed by date of application.
Persons with special needs, disabilities or that may not be able to attend the information meeting may contact the City of Anderson's Economic and Community Development Department at 231-2223 or visit our office at 314 Tribble Street.
City/County Home Consortium
The Appalachian Council of Governments will conduct a public hearing at 5:30 p.m., Monday, April 14, at the Anderson Recreation Center, 1107 N. Murray Ave., to assist in the
development of the Annual Action Plan for the City of Anderson/Anderson County HOME
Consortium.
The Anderson City/County Annual Action Plan will cover the fiscal year July 1, 2008 – June 30, 2009. The document will contain a strategy to address housing needs. It is also the means to meet the application requirements for the HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) Grant. Anderson County will submit the Anderson Consortium's Annual Action Plan to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) by May 15, 2008.
Citizens, elected officials, neighborhood and faith based organizations as well as social service agencies are strongly encouraged to attend and provide input at the hearing. Anyone with questions and/or special needs wanting to attend the hearing may contact Jennifer Vissage at 864-242-9733.
Public Hearing – Annual Action Plan
The City of Anderson's Economic and Community Development Department is conducting public hearings to aid in the development of its Annual Action Plan (AAP) submission to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) on May 14, 2008. Public hearings will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 15, 2008 at the Westside Community Center, 1100 West Franklin Street.
The City of Anderson will receive $725,641 from HUD for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2009. The Annual Action Plan will outline projects that the Economic and Community Development Department proposes to fund during the fiscal year. The plan contains a strategy to address housing and community needs in the following redevelopment areas: Appleton Mill, East, West Anderson, North and South Anderson. Constituents living within redevelopment areas, neighborhood groups and representatives of social and community service agencies are encouraged to attend the hearings. Anyone with special needs that desires to attend the meeting or persons with questions may contact Erica Craft at 231-2223.
Community Development Week
The City of Anderson's Economic and Community Development Dept. is celebrating National Community Development Week. Anderson uses Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds to improve low to moderate income neighborhoods.
We cordially invite you to attend the "Understanding Credit Workshop" sponsored by First Citizens from 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., on Saturday, March 29, 2008 at the Anderson Recreation Center, 1107 N. Murray Avenue. Print flyer.
Immediately following the workshop, please join us for our annual CDBG Week Celebration. This event will begin at 12:00-2:30 p.m. at the same location.
Contact Erica Craft at 231-2223 for more information.
City Receives CDBG Award
The National Community Development Association (NCDA) has awarded the City of Anderson the John A. Sasso Award for exemplary use of Community Development Block Grant Funds. NCDA is a national nonprofit organization comprised of more than 550 local governments across the country that administer federally-supported community and economic development, housing and human service programs, including programs of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Community Development Block Grant, and the HOME Investment Partnerships programs.
Make a Difference in Your Neighborhood
Remember that grass and weeds exceeding 18 inches in height or so dense as to harbor snakes, rats, etc. create a menace to public health and our neighborhoods. Similarly, litter, bricks, scrap lumber, old appliances, abandoned vehicles, and dilapidated buildings all are considered nuisances according to the City's Nuisance Abatement Code.
Please take responsibility for your property and maintain it with pride. A little extra effort can really make a difference for the entire neighborhood. If you have any questions about nuisances in your neighborhood, contact the Building Department at (864) 231-2217.