HRA is a grant offered by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA); utilized by Smith County Habitat for extensive renovations or to tear down an existing home and build a new home on the same site.
For over 50 years, James and Opal Bedingfield lived in their home on Mary Ann Street in Tyler. As time passed, the house began to deteriorate but so did James’ health. Faced with cancer treatment and medical bills, the couple could not maintain their home. Unable to afford the needed repairs, the Bedingfields called Habitat for help.
The Bedingfields qualified for assistance from Habitat’s critical repair program. Because the cost to repair the home exceeded $30,000, Smith County Habitat utilized a HRA grant from the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs to tear down the existing structure and build a new home on the same site.
James’ health continued to decline but he knew that Opal would soon have a safe, decent place to live after he was gone. Sadly, he passed away before the home was completed. With tears of joy and sadness, Opal received the keys to their new 1000 square foot, 2-bedroom, 2-bath home on February 13. As part of the grant agreement, she will live in her new home for at least 10 years.
Currently, Habitat has two more HRA projects under construction and a fourth project recently received approval from the TDHCA.
Habitat for Humanity of Smith County 