By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Four firms named to NSP foreclosure aid programs
Placeholder Image
Four companies were selected to administer Rockdale's $2.7 million Neighborhood Stabilization Program grant by locating, acquiring and rehabilitating foreclosed homes and potential first time homebuyers.

Out of 16 proposals, APD Solutions, based in Jacksonville, Fla., had the top evaluation score, followed by Atlanta Neighborhood Development of Atlanta. These two top companies will split about $1.5 million of the grant.

Another two local companies were selected, in response to citizen requests for local participation, according to Media and Public Relations Director Julie Mills. Affordable Housing Community Development in Conyers and Jewel of the South in Lithonia will split $695,000.

The committee that evaluated the proposals was made up of Dwight Allen of the county finance department, Will Barkley of the Board of Assessors Office, Grants Administrator Alice Cintron, Ray Jackson of the Finance Department, Brandon Mitchell of the Finance Department, Michael Smith of the Capital and Community Improvements Department along with Chief of Staff R.J. Hadley, who is spearheading the NSP process. Smith and Barkley were added after Commissioner JaNice Van Ness requested the addition of two community members to the evaluation panel. The companies were evaluated based on their staffing, past experience and performance, approach to the project, availability, financial stability and cost, according to Mills.

The county is looking to purchase and rehabilitate around 20 foreclosed homes.

Although a quarter of the rehabilitated homes will be set aside for those making less than 50 percent of the area median income, the program is targeting homebuyers from a range of income levels, from low to moderate incomes, according to Cintron. The rehabilitated homes are sold at 15 percent below the appraised value and the funds received for the homes will be put towards purchasing and rehabilitating more foreclosed homes.

The county is also looking at a second round of potential NSP funds as part of the Atlanta Region NSP2 Consortium, which is made up of the Atlanta Regional Commission, Atlanta Neighborhood Development Partnership, Inc. [ANDP], Clayton County, DeKalb County, Douglas County, Gwinnett County, Henry County, and Rockdale County. That application will be completed and submitted to HUD by July 17.

The total Atlanta Region NSP Consortium request for funds may be between $40 million and $60 million, and the amount of funding for each participating organization will be awarded around the end of 2009.

Additional information is also available from the Atlanta Regional Commission website at www.atlantaregional.com. Public comments are invited on this proposed application for NSP 2 funds by July 13, 5 p.m.

For more information on the Rockdale NSP program, go to the Neighborhood Stabilization Program page under the Board of Commissioners page at www.rockdalecounty.org or call Cintron at 770-278-7016 or Hadley at 770-278-7015.