Moultrie residents turned out in force Monday evening to hear details about a grant that promises to help some of them fix up their homes.

MOULTRIE, Ga. — It was a packed house Monday evening at the Ryce Center in northwest Moultrie where citizens were told that “due diligence” on a housing improvement grant would be finalized on August 1.

The $300,000 in federal funds, approved by the Department of Community Affairs, could rehab at least six houses at roughly $49,000 per house or perhaps to repair more houses if the amount required to improve some units was less.

Dean Nelson, a DCA representative, said basically the money would be awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis. But that idea drew a challenge from the audience.

“I’ve been involved with several grants of this type, and they’ve always been based on need,” said City Councilwoman Susie Magwood Thomas.

Moultrie Mayor Bill Macintosh echoed her sentiments, noting that there should be a “needs evaluation” process.

Nelson said ultimately that’s a decision that will come between the grant administrator and the city.

The grant administrator is Brenda Wade of the Southwest Georgia Regional Commission in Camilla.

Nelson said Wade would be in Moultrie in the very near future to hold a public hearing and will be more specific with the details of the grant. Monday’s meeting was to provide an overview.

Moultrie City Manager Pete Dillard said there was a rumor that the city already had the funds and “was just sitting on them.”

“That money is still in Washington, D.C.,” he told the crowd.

Nelson, who was accompanied by fellow DCA staffer Gina Webb, said the grant was very competitive, noting that 10 Georgia communities qualified for these funds.

He told the group that once applications are filed with the administrator there would be much costs analysis, visits to homes and verification that applicants are qualified.

One of the first and foremost of the qualifications is that the person applying for the money must be the owner of the home and have an income no greater than 30 percent of the area’s median income. It was estimated that in Moultrie the 30 percent would be about $8,000.

“Obviously we won’t get enough to do all we need to do,” said Dillard. “It’s been a difficult process, but we’ve had a solid group of people working on it.”

Dillard said a map of the targeted areas would be available to the public within 24 hours of the Monday meeting. He also said those whose applications do not make the cut will be notified. Only persons living inside the city limits of Moultrie can qualify.

Dean said these funds can be applied for again when 50 percent of the grant has been used up. This grant covers a two-year period, ending on August 1, 2019.

“We want to make sure we are responsible with these funds,” said Dillard, noting that good stewardship in this venture could possibly help future grant requests.