One of Leon County's most important affordable housing programs is facing challenges from rising costs and economic uncertainty.
New homeowners Matrecia Bryant and Ronald Ivey were there to take possession of their new homes in South Tallahassee's Providence Neighborhood on Thursday, Aug. 7.
"I want to thank everyone for this opportunity in helping me get this far for me and my baby. I'm very blessed and grateful," Bryant exclaimed.
Ivey conceded this was among the happiest days of his life. "To come to a home is surreal! So I want to thank everyone who had a hand in this."
That includes Leon County's yearly State Housing Initiatives Partnership. District County Commissioner Bill Proctor was on hand for the housewarming. He’s concerned about the future of that funding, along with the impact of tariffs, inflation and a potential economic downturn.
"It limits the capacity of people attaining access, the county's ability to extend that access, as well as the public's ability to qualify and obtain these so-called affordable homes."
The program, intended for low-income, first-time homebuyers, has been one of the county's key strategies to grow the local stock of affordable housing.
