The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development (RD) office in Virginia recognized today a partner and local home improvement contractor in Nassawadox, Va.
“As we celebrate June as National Homeownership Month, the agency shows appreciation to its partners that support homeowners in rural communities,” said Janice Stroud-Bickes, USDA Rural Development Virginia Acting State Director. “RD is very proud of the hard work and dedication that our partner Thomas L. Smith, Jr. has committed to providing Eastern Shore homeowners with necessary and essential home repairs. We have seen many instances where Mr. Smith has done extra work in order to assist these families. We are proud to leverage with a local business to assist the residents of the Eastern Shore.”
A representative from the Office of Congressman Scott Taylor and two housing repair recipients also recognized the contractor.
Smith of Exmore, Va. was recognized as “Contractor of the Year” for providing physical accessibility and essential home repairs to 34 families on the Eastern Shore within the last 14 months. Through the Single Family Housing Repair Loans & Grants program, Smith provided eligible homeowners the ability to repair, improve, or modernize their homes, or remove health and safety hazards
Since 2008, Smith has worked as a home improvements contractor for Home Improvements Plus, LLC. He partners with both RD and the Eastern Shore Center for Independent Living to help improve living on the Eastern Shore.
A tour of Smith’s work was conducted at the home of a client following the ceremony. The home received:
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Physical accessibility renovations to the existing bathroom including a walk in shower
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Repairs to damaged ceilings due to roof leaking
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Repairs to the front door and vinyl placement along the entrance of home
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Replaced handrails on the front porch
A second tour was conducted at a neighboring home where Smith also provided repairs. The home received:
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A replaced roof
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Guttering and downspouts installations
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A replaced front door and storm door
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Bathroom repairs
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A replaced front porch
In 2016, RD provided 231 Single Family Housing Repair Loans & Grants across Virginia. Already in 2017, the agency has provided 167 housing repair loans and grants to eligible rural homeowners. Applications for Single Family Housing Repair Loans & Grants are accepted year round.
For more information, please visit www.rd.usda.gov/va.
USDA Rural Development in 2016 invested more than $1.2 billion in rural Virginia through 40 loan, grant and loan guarantee programs in housing, business, agriculture, energy, health care and community facilities. It has employees stationed in offices across the commonwealth to better serve residents where they live and to improve the economy and quality of life in rural Virginia.