Mary Myers, center, surrounded by City of Valdosta leaders, cuts the ribbon to her brand new home Friday. Myers and her family members were eager to celebrate the unveiling and to make new memories in the home.

VALDOSTA – A Valdosta resident has received the keys to her newly reconstructed home almost one week before the upcoming holidays.

The city unveiled Mary Myers’ new home, located on 719 East Mary Street, early Friday morning. Myers was accompanied by excited family members who were eager to celebrate during the ribbon cutting ceremony. She said the reconstructed home is the new family house. Her family members have started decorating plans.

“I feel very blessed. I just thank [the City of Valdosta] very much for everything that [they’ve] done. It is truly a blessing from God,” Myers said in an interview.

City Council Members Vivian Miller-Cody of District 1 and Sandra Tooley of District 2 — along with City of Valdosta Manager Richard Hardy and Assistant Manager Catherine Ammons — presented Myers with the new house key.

“For me, this is one of the most important programs that we have in the city. To be able to give a family a roof over their head [and] to be able to provide somewhere that they can have family gatherings is one of the most important gifts that we can give any citizen,” Ammons said in an interview following the unveiling. “I felt like Santa Claus. To be able to give them a key a week before Christmas to give them the opportunity to gather around now during the holiday’s a feeling like no other.

Completing another CDBG project is another step the City of Valdosta is taking in addressing housing.

“We’re always looking to increase our affordable housing or to give our citizens more options so that’s something that’s a priority for us,” Ammons said.

The project was completed with funds from the Community Development Block Grant Program. Neighborhood Development and Community Protection Manager Anetra Riley said the City of Valdosta has participated in the CDBG program, being an entitlement community since 2004.

The Valdosta City Council receives annual funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The council allocates funds for the Community Development Block Grant to address housing.

Riley said the amount of allocation the city receives in a year determines the number of projects they can complete.

“Every year we have an application process that begins the first Monday in January through April 30th. Mrs. Myers applied, and she received funding. We demolished her home and rebuilt her a new home,” Riley said in an interview after the ceremony.

Myer’s home reconstruction project took about eight months to complete. The CDBG projects can take approximately one year to complete depending on whether the home is being rehabilitated or completely reconstructed.

Riley explained that interested applicants must own their home, have a clear title and occupy the residence for their application to be considered. If an applicant was not chosen and received a denial letter but wishes to be considered in another year, they must submit a new application in the next application period.