Ocala housing assistance delivers a new home in Ocala,Florida |
Ocala home reconstruction through Ocala housing rehabilitation |
For David and Carolyn Woodbury, Ocala housing assistance has turned a deteriorating property into a newly rebuilt home.
The couple saw the finished residence at 826 NW 6th Avenue during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, September 24.
It is a personal milestone, but also a visible change for their block in West Ocala.
The original house was assessed in 2022 and found to be deteriorating, making it eligible for city assistance.
Rather than repair the existing structure, the city’s Community Housing Services Housing Rehabilitation Program supported a complete demolition and rebuild.
That decision gave the Woodburys a new house on the property they already called home.
The project sits within the West Ocala Community Redevelopment Area, where housing conditions matter to the surrounding neighborhood.
After seeking construction bids, the Ocala City Council approved a contract with Bentley Pinder Construction for a project cost capped at $138,320.
Funding came through federal and state housing programs, including HOME, State Housing Initiatives Partnership and Community Development Block Grant funds.
For the Woodburys, Ocala home reconstruction means more than fresh walls and a new roof.
The single-family home has a concrete-block and stucco exterior, architectural shingles, waterproof vinyl plank flooring and a new concrete driveway.
Accessibility features include ADA-compliant entry thresholds and grab bars, practical details that can make everyday routines easier.
Energy Star-certified appliances, low-E windows and a high-efficiency heat pump add features intended to improve household efficiency.
For a family facing the loss of an aging home, that combination offers stability as well as comfort.
Under the program agreement, the Woodburys signed a five-year deferred mortgage loan equal to the construction cost.
They must occupy and maintain the home for at least five years, a condition tied to the assistance.
Ocala housing rehabilitation can have an impact beyond one address when it helps longtime residents remain in their neighborhood.
On NW 6th Avenue, that broader goal now has a front door. |
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What a happy day for the Woodburys! Wishing them many good years on NW 6th Avenue.
Thank you for the kind wishes. Thursday’s ribbon-cutting was a milestone for the Woodburys and their block.
Wish there were more details on how residents apply for the housing rehabilitation program.
Wesley GrantI wondered that too. The article explains the project, but not where someone would start an application.
The accessible thresholds will make daily life easier. So glad they included those!
Those details matter. The new home includes ADA-compliant entry thresholds and grab bars to make everyday routines easier.
Patricia NguyenThose little changes are easy to overlook until you need them every day.
Glad the city chose a rebuild if the old structure was too far gone.
The city chose a full rebuild after the original house was assessed as deteriorating. It’s good to see the Woodburys able to stay on the property they called home.
It's nice to see improvements in West Ocala that help people already living there.
Waterproof flooring is a smart pick in Florida. Happy they got a fresh start!
Jules M.After a few Florida storms, I'd be glad to have flooring that can handle some water.
Bentley Pinder Construction had a tight budget for a full rebuild. Looks like a good result.
The City Council capped the construction contract at $138,320. The finished home includes accessibility and energy-efficiency features as well as a new driveway.
Wonderful news for David and Carolyn! That new front door must feel pretty special.
Five years of upkeep sounds fair, though I'd like to know what happens after that.
I hope the new heat pump saves them some money every month!
We hope so, too! The new heat pump, low-E windows and Energy Star-certified appliances are all intended to improve the home’s efficiency.
Glad they rebuilt on the property the Woodburys already called home.
That’s a meaningful part of this project: the Woodburys have a new house without leaving the property they called home.
How lovely that they got to see it finished at the ribbon cutting!
I do wonder how many other homes qualified after those 2022 assessments.
That’s a good question. The article reports the Woodburys’ home was assessed in 2022, but we don’t have a figure for how many other homes qualified.
The new driveway is a small detail, but it makes a big difference getting around.
Maria DelgadoEspecially during rainy season. A solid path from the car to the front door really helps.
Hope the city can help more families whose older homes are past repairing.
I drive through West Ocala often. Glad this block is getting some care.
A new roof and concrete block walls must be such a relief for the Woodburys!
Nice to see the city use housing funds for an actual house people can live in.
Fred W.Agreed. It's good to see a longtime family able to stay in their neighborhood.
Those low-E windows should help with the summer electric bills. Good choice!
Angela TorresI'd be curious to see how much the new windows and heat pump lower their bill together.
Does the five year loan go away if they keep living there? Curious how that works.
Love seeing longtime West Ocala residents get to stay in their neighborhood!
$138,320 seems pretty reasonable for a whole new house these days.
The grab bars and easier entry are such thoughtful touches. Happy for this family!
Glad to see an older home on NW 6th Avenue replaced instead of left to fall apart.
Ray CollinsIt makes a difference for the whole block when a vacant-looking property gets taken care of.
So happy for the Woodburys! A new home on the same lot is wonderful!
It’s wonderful to see them get a new home on their familiar lot. Thanks for celebrating with them!
Linda M.Staying on the same lot means they get to keep their neighbors too. Really happy for them.