City embarks on housing survey

GAINESVILLE - In an effort to better identify areas of older neglected homes, the city of Gainesville has embarked on a housing survey.

Gainesville Special Projects Manager Jessica Tullar said it will help the city better use federal HUD dollars for rehabilitation and down payment assistance.

"The funds that we are already getting will be better equipped as to where we should be targeting those funds, more on a neighborhood scale as opposed to a house by house scattering throughout the city," Tullar said.

"The housing conditions survey will provide complete awareness and serve as the foundation for moving forward. And, it will be used to justify future potential grant applications," Tullar also said.

Surveyors will look at and assess the condition of homes from the sidewalk or street. They'll be looking for issues like sagging roofs or failing foundations and taking some photos.

The surveyors will include two representatives from the Georgia Mountains Regional Commission as well as city code enforcement, building inspection and planning department representatives.

"Folks who will be in marked vehicles and have city ID or RC ID on them," Tullar said.

The GMRC partnership in the survey is paid for through the city's regular dues to organization.

According to the city, the survey will help address concerns in the 2030 Comprehensive Plan, with the goal of protecting city neighborhoods against slum and blight.

Tullar said the actual survey began this week.