Columbia, TN — For more than 40 years, Mr. Angus has called the same Columbia house home. It holds decades of memories, but as the years passed, the home itself began to deteriorate.
A large hole developed in the main living area where he walked each day. Water seeped into the dirt-floor basement, and his roof leaked. Lead hazards were present, the bathroom was no longer accessible for his needs, and the home required extensive repairs to remain safe.
Before
After
Having been blind since childhood, Mr. Angus relies on the familiarity of his surroundings to move confidently throughout his home. As the condition of the house declined, so did its ability to provide the safety and independence every homeowner deserves.
That changed through the HOME Grant Program. The City of Columbia applied for a HOME Grant in 2024 with assistance from the South Central Tennessee Development District (SCTDD). Identifying and pursuing funds to help existing homeowners has been an objective of the City since the Columbia City Council made home/homeowner affordability a goal in the city’s annual strategic plan.
Before
After
Funded by the Tennessee Housing Development Agency (THDA), the HOME Grant provides municipalities with funding to rehabilitate owner-occupied homes for qualifying residents. Communities may receive up to $750,000 to assist as many as six households through each grant award.
After the City of Columbia received HOME funding, Mr. Angus was referred to SCTDD, which administers the grant on the City of Columbia’s behalf. The city’s Codes Division has worked with Mr. Angus for some years to resolve code violations. The HOME grant provided an opportunity to resolve and assist Mr. Angus in the long-term.
Mr. Angus applied for assistance. Following an in-home assessment, a rehabilitation coordinator identified nearly $100,000 in necessary repairs to bring the home back to safe, livable standards.
Assistant City Manager Thad Jablonski noted “We appreciate every opportunity to work with partners at THDA and the Development District to deliver impactful results for Columbia citizens like Mr. Angus. Programs like the HOME Grant Program are game changers for residents who qualify for the assistance.”
Before
After
Working alongside the City of Columbia and South Central Tennessee Development District, contractor ABC Construction completed extensive renovations that transformed the home into a safer and more accessible place to live.
Today, Mr. Angus is back home—moving through familiar rooms with greater confidence and peace of mind.
“All of these improvements have helped me immensely,” said Mr. Angus. “I have fewer falls now that my home is more accessible. Thank you to SCTDD, my family, and my caretakers for all of their support.”
South Central Tennessee Development District (SCTDD) serves as the grant administrator for the HOME Program on behalf of participating communities. The organization assists local governments with grant applications, completes environmental assessment, oversees program administration, conducts public information meetings, and manages the homeowner application and review process. Eligible applications are evaluated using established scoring criteria, with funding available to rehabilitate up to six homes per grant award.
Programs like HOME do more than repair houses—they help homeowners remain safe in the places they know best, preserving both their homes and their independence.
HOME Grant funding is not currently available. Additional funding opportunities are expected in the future. Residents are encouraged to follow South Central Tennessee Development District on Facebook for announcements regarding future application periods.
SCTDD is currently administering HOME Grants in:
- Hickman County
- Town of Centerville
- City of Columbia
- Lawrence County
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Media Contact:
Sydney Brewer, Marketing & Communications Director
sbrewer@sctdd.org
