The Griffin Heights neighborhood is one of Tallahassee's poorest. But a brand-new home for one of its residents could be the start of a community revival.
Tallahassee Urban League President and CEO Curtis Taylor said those who live along the Alabama Street corridor don't have the resources to keep their homes in good shape.
"Some are working for minimum wage and most are on fixed incomes today, so they can't afford to do this."
That was especially true for 89 year old Evelyn Jiles. Her house was beyond repair. So with the help of a $150,000 City of Tallahassee housing rehabilitation grant, the Urban League's Taylor says there was only one thing to do.
"So we had to tear it down and start over. Put in new concrete and steel reinforced rods so she wouldn't have a problem."
The new three bedroom, two bath dwelling also includes a central heating and air conditioning system, which the old house lacked. The City and the Urban League hope to ultimately revitalize the whole area around Griffin Middle School, which is also due for a major rebuild.
