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A place to call home
  
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By Nancy Flake
Thursday was a day of new beginnings for Conroe residents Alfred Chatman and Anthony Cotton, who received keys to their new homes built through the city’s Community Development Block Grant program.
It also was a day of celebration for both men, who, along with family members and friends, welcomed Conroe City Council members and city officials for the official unveilings of the two houses, located in Dugan and the Madeley Quarter.
Since 1999, 43 new homes in those two historic areas of Conroe have been built to replace delapidated structures. The CDBG program is funded through the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development and requires no matching funds from the city. Applicants must own their home, be current on taxes and must live in the home, and all taxes and insurance must be current.
Both Chatman and Cotton, the recipients of the new homes, will be free from mortgage payments and trying to keep up with repairs.
“I’m happy with it. I like everything,” Chatman, 51, an employee with the Conroe Independent School District, said as he, his mother Irma and brother Carl entered the home officially for the first time. “I’m thrilled to death.”
Mayor Webb Melder handed the key to Chatman.
“On behalf of the CDBG, the city of Conroe and the City Council – it’s a team – we’d like to present you with the keys to your home,” Melder said.
The informal ceremony was repeated at Cotton’s new home, where he was surrounded by friends and family, including his mother Ruby and his daughter, Annesia, 4.
A single father, Cotton, 36, is disabled and works with special needs children in the Sheldon Independent School District.
Both Cotton and Chatman picked out the colors and materials for their homes. Each home has 1,196 square feet in floor space and cost approximately $72,000 each to build.
Builder Randy Malouf successfully bid to construct both homes and did so within the 90-day construction schedule and within budget, according to CDBG Director Nancy Mikeska.
She recently submitted a grant request of nearly $400,000 to the state of Texas, and if it is approved, city officials hope to renovate six or more homes with those funds. Council members also recently approved a resolution expanding the areas in the city targeted for CDBG funds, which would allow more homes to be built each year.
As Cotton’s family and officials toured the new home – which replaces the 980-square foot home built in 1948 that housed three generations of his family – Annesia and her father sat quietly on the carpeted living room floor while she drew a picture of the house.
“This is for her,” he said, pointing to his daughter. “Just to know that she’s going to have a nice home and I’m going give her everything she needs because this house will let me do that. ... I’m overwhelmed right now.
“I’m truly blessed.”
It also was a day of celebration for both men, who, along with family members and friends, welcomed Conroe City Council members and city officials for the official unveilings of the two houses, located in Dugan and the Madeley Quarter.
Since 1999, 43 new homes in those two historic areas of Conroe have been built to replace delapidated structures. The CDBG program is funded through the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development and requires no matching funds from the city. Applicants must own their home, be current on taxes and must live in the home, and all taxes and insurance must be current.
Both Chatman and Cotton, the recipients of the new homes, will be free from mortgage payments and trying to keep up with repairs.
“I’m happy with it. I like everything,” Chatman, 51, an employee with the Conroe Independent School District, said as he, his mother Irma and brother Carl entered the home officially for the first time. “I’m thrilled to death.”
Mayor Webb Melder handed the key to Chatman.
“On behalf of the CDBG, the city of Conroe and the City Council – it’s a team – we’d like to present you with the keys to your home,” Melder said.
The informal ceremony was repeated at Cotton’s new home, where he was surrounded by friends and family, including his mother Ruby and his daughter, Annesia, 4.
A single father, Cotton, 36, is disabled and works with special needs children in the Sheldon Independent School District.
Both Cotton and Chatman picked out the colors and materials for their homes. Each home has 1,196 square feet in floor space and cost approximately $72,000 each to build.
Builder Randy Malouf successfully bid to construct both homes and did so within the 90-day construction schedule and within budget, according to CDBG Director Nancy Mikeska.
She recently submitted a grant request of nearly $400,000 to the state of Texas, and if it is approved, city officials hope to renovate six or more homes with those funds. Council members also recently approved a resolution expanding the areas in the city targeted for CDBG funds, which would allow more homes to be built each year.
As Cotton’s family and officials toured the new home – which replaces the 980-square foot home built in 1948 that housed three generations of his family – Annesia and her father sat quietly on the carpeted living room floor while she drew a picture of the house.
“This is for her,” he said, pointing to his daughter. “Just to know that she’s going to have a nice home and I’m going give her everything she needs because this house will let me do that. ... I’m overwhelmed right now.
“I’m truly blessed.”
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Reader Comments
JustDon wrote on Nov 14, 2008 1:23 AM:
" What? No drug dealers needed a house this time? Guess the city looked outside Project Dope this time. "
Whiskyecho wrote on Nov 14, 2008 6:09 AM:
" gee, I don't work - maybe hud would pay-off my mortgage - or - simply abstain from getting "Conroe City Council members and city officials" all warm and fuzzy with my tax dollars
next thing ya know we'll be paying for bail-outs for banks and auto makers "
next thing ya know we'll be paying for bail-outs for banks and auto makers "
adoseofreality wrote on Nov 14, 2008 7:56 AM:
" For the one that always fails to read the WHOLE article, please read the article again.
Both of these individuals ARE employed and futher fulfilled all of the requirements to apply and obtain the CDBG house. Yes, the City of Conroe does do some things that are backwards, but this program helps to build up parts of our city that are otherwise run down by citizens who don't care. These gentlemen both work at a place of employment and in the community and surrounded by family and friends who want to see them go further in life and prosper.
If you don't work, maybe you should apply for the housing, but since you sit on your rear end all day talking about what other people are doing, I doubt you would be able to focus and fully complete the application!
November 14 - Your Dose of Reality "
Both of these individuals ARE employed and futher fulfilled all of the requirements to apply and obtain the CDBG house. Yes, the City of Conroe does do some things that are backwards, but this program helps to build up parts of our city that are otherwise run down by citizens who don't care. These gentlemen both work at a place of employment and in the community and surrounded by family and friends who want to see them go further in life and prosper.
If you don't work, maybe you should apply for the housing, but since you sit on your rear end all day talking about what other people are doing, I doubt you would be able to focus and fully complete the application!
November 14 - Your Dose of Reality "
Whiskyecho wrote on Nov 14, 2008 8:19 AM:
" adoseofreality wrote on Nov 14, 2008 7:56 AM:
"..These gentlemen both work at a place of employment.."
yep, "a place of employment" is a good place to be for those that "work" (thanks for the chuckle tho).
and "..please read the article again.."
uh, please try to comprehend what I posted - I posted that I don't work - therefore I just might be more qualified (in the eyes of give-away liberals) to get all this "free" stuff
It's a joke, son - just as what you posted is a joke "
"..These gentlemen both work at a place of employment.."
yep, "a place of employment" is a good place to be for those that "work" (thanks for the chuckle tho).
and "..please read the article again.."
uh, please try to comprehend what I posted - I posted that I don't work - therefore I just might be more qualified (in the eyes of give-away liberals) to get all this "free" stuff
It's a joke, son - just as what you posted is a joke "
sittinghere wrote on Nov 14, 2008 9:19 AM:
" I am always amazed at the comments posted on this site. Whiskeyecho.... I have a word of advice.... If you can't say something nice (which you never do), then just be quiet. I pray you never fall on hard times... and if you do... no one will help you. "
Whiskyecho wrote on Nov 14, 2008 9:37 AM:
" sittinghere wrote on Nov 14, 2008 9:19 AM:
..I have a word of advice.."
(you might wanna start by taking your own "word(s) of advice")(idiot) "
..I have a word of advice.."
(you might wanna start by taking your own "word(s) of advice")(idiot) "
sittinghere wrote on Nov 14, 2008 10:02 AM:
" As someone who was also a single parent for a time, I realize that I was very fortunate to have an advanced degree, a very stable job, and a support system that allowed me to take care of my children and put a roof over our heads. I feel very sorry for people who can not feel an ounce of compassion for anyone who may not be able to do these things. Take it from me... you are not always responsible for the situations you find yourself in during your lifetime. I am proud to pay taxes and live in a city that cares enough about our neighbors to help them out. (at least the ones who are not narcissistic) "
hENNESSY62082 wrote on Nov 14, 2008 10:59 AM:
" Whiskyecho cracks me up!! I need to buy you a beer my friend! "
Hennessy62082 wrote on Nov 14, 2008 11:01 AM:
" People need to listen to reason and not drink the kool-aid...Whiskyecho is reason "
Whiskyecho wrote on Nov 14, 2008 11:26 AM:
" congratulations SITTINGHERE - I see where your candidate of choice in now our prez elect (good luck).. "
Whiskyecho wrote on Nov 14, 2008 11:32 AM:
" Hennessy62082 wrote on Nov 14, 2008 11:01 AM:
"..and not drink the kool-aid.."
The "kool-aid" bit is lost on these folks, Hennessy "
"..and not drink the kool-aid.."
The "kool-aid" bit is lost on these folks, Hennessy "
Hennessy62082 wrote on Nov 14, 2008 12:02 PM:
" I agree Whiskyecho.....but i knew you would get it. "
JustDon wrote on Nov 14, 2008 1:41 PM:
" Dear Dose-
I don't think anyone can accuse Whiskyecho of not reading the articles, but maybe you just started to read them.
See Jessie Dock - arrested for dealing drugs from a CDBG home - had a lengthy rap sheet when they gave him the house. Yes, he was employed - he was self employed and probably making more money than any of us.
But don't worry, we're still paying to house the poor unfortunate sould - through TDC.
Maybe our new president will see that he gets another free house when he's paroled. "
I don't think anyone can accuse Whiskyecho of not reading the articles, but maybe you just started to read them.
See Jessie Dock - arrested for dealing drugs from a CDBG home - had a lengthy rap sheet when they gave him the house. Yes, he was employed - he was self employed and probably making more money than any of us.
But don't worry, we're still paying to house the poor unfortunate sould - through TDC.
Maybe our new president will see that he gets another free house when he's paroled. "
sittinghere wrote on Nov 14, 2008 8:17 PM:
" Actually...Whisky... I am a Republican. I just happen to be one with a heart because I fell on hard time once too. I was married to a person who due to a hidden addiction bankrupted me and ruined my kids future for a while. I am an educated person who is in the most secure profession on the planet, so I rebounded in time without the need for public assistance. But there are people inn our world that find themselves in situations that are beyond their control and need help. Perhaps if you fell on hard times, you might also grow a heart. "
Whiskyecho wrote on Nov 15, 2008 7:17 AM:
" sittinghere wrote on Nov 14, 2008 9:19 AM:
"..I have a word of advice.... If you can't say something nice (which you never do), then just be quiet.."
of course you're aware of this - but I was pointing out (again) that you are doing exactly that which you were accusing me of doing - for someone with "an advanced degree" and who is "an educated person" (so you keep posting, and keep posting, and keep posting.....) you're acting the part of an under/uneducated nitwit.. "
"..I have a word of advice.... If you can't say something nice (which you never do), then just be quiet.."
of course you're aware of this - but I was pointing out (again) that you are doing exactly that which you were accusing me of doing - for someone with "an advanced degree" and who is "an educated person" (so you keep posting, and keep posting, and keep posting.....) you're acting the part of an under/uneducated nitwit.. "
lakekat wrote on Nov 14, 2008 12:22 AM: