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Leon County held a ribbon-cutting and keys presentation ceremony for Robert and Nelda Neff Thursday morning, just in time for the holiday season. The residents received a new home, where their once greatly storm-damaged home stood at 309 Susie B. Lane, courtesy of a grant administered through the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity.

Funding for the new home is made available through the state’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Emergency Set-Aside Program. The ribbon cutting and presentation of keys will mark the start of a new life for the Neffs. More than 50 percent of their older home had been damaged due to severe rain storms in March and April 2009.

“It is great for the County to partner with state government and local contractors to assist our residents in getting their lives back on track,” said Leon County Commission Chairman Nick Maddox. “This home replacement is one step towards the improvement of life for the Neff family and this neighborhood.”

The Neffs’ damaged home was covered in a blue tarp earlier this year. The roof was filled with holes and the ceiling was falling down. Kitchen cabinets had to be taken out due to severe water damage and the 54-year-old structure was sagging. With more than 50 percent of the home in need of repair, the Neffs became eligible for a home replacement.

“This demonstrates the commitment of the Board of County Commissioners and the efforts of our County staff to make a significant positive impact on the lives of the people we serve,” said Leon County Administrator Vincent S. Long.

The Neff’s older home was demolished and replaced with a new home. Leon County was awarded the CDBG grant with the purpose of funding recovery projects related to severe weather. The project had to address serious, urgent community needs that posed an immediate and direct threat to the health, safety, and welfare of residents of low and moderate income.

For more information, please contact Jon D. Brown, Leon County Community and Media Relations, at (850) 606-5300 / cmr@LeonCountyFL.gov or Leon County’s Division of Housing Services at (850) 606-1900.

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