07/12/2024

Mayoral Visitation & Tour of Keiger Place Rehabilitation Project

Dewayne Alford, Executive Director (ED), Housing Operations Manager, Earl Phillips, Maintenance Supervisor, Lynn Hammond, Board Commissioners Vice Chair -David Casey, Tammy Gordon, and Dr. Love Mills-Byrd, and Mayor Gettys.

On June 10, 2024, the Rock Hill Housing Authority (RHHA) hosted the City of Rock Hill's Mayor, John Gettys & toured the Keiger Place renovation underway.

Dewayne Alford, Executive Director (ED), Housing Operations Manager, Earl Phillips, Maintenance Supervisor, Lynn Hammond, along with Board Commissioners Vice Chair -David Casey, Tammy Gordon, and Dr. Love Mills-Byrd, met with Mayor Gettys.

Staff were introduced & a brief timeline of the Keiger Place rehabilitation project was reviewed.

ED Alford shared that Phase I of the project started in September 2021.

The work in Phase I included:

New roofs
Fascia
Soffit
Gutters
Downspouts
Splash blocks
Exterior shutters
Exterior storm doors
Entrance doors
Energy-efficient windows

Residents were relocated in two phases to other public housing units.

All costs for relocation were borne by RHHA.

Relocation costs included:

Moving expenses
Reconnections of utilities
School notifications for all families impacted

Phase I of the project was completed in February of 2023.

Phase II of the project commenced in April 2023 and was substantially completed in April of 2024.

The work in Phase II of the project included:

Installation of tankless water heaters
RADON fans
Laminate vinyl tile plank flooring
Solid surface countertops (Corian)
Crown molding
Baseboard and trim
New kitchen cabinetry
Fully renovated bathrooms with enhanced accessibility features
Enhanced space inside for laundry rooms with side-by-side washer and dryer
New interior doors
Additional attic insulation
New heating and ventilation air condition (HVAC) systems

Mayor Gettys was provided with a tour of several unit styles, including a 1, a 2, and a 3-bedroom unit, as well as a fully accessible unit for a person with a disability (hearing and visual impairment).

ED Alford also took the opportunity to share with Mayor Gettys and all in attendance the success the agency has had in securing grants for RADON Testing and Mitigation ($600,000), Lead-Based Paint Testing and Mitigation ($3,000,000), Resident Opportunity and Self-Sufficiency (ROSS) Service Coordinator Program ($233,010), and the Jobs Plus Program ($2,300,000).

The grants total $6,133,010.

ED Alford shared with Mayor Gettys that these were extremely competitive grant applications.

In several cases, Rock Hill was the only Authority in South Carolina to secure these specific grant awards.

ED Alford expressed to all that the rehabilitation of Keiger Place and the added grant funds have been assembled for our Residents.

RHHA will ensure that our residents are living in safe, decent, and sanitary affordable housing.

In addition to providing housing, the availability of supportive services for residents shows RHHA's commitment to assist all Residents in moving forward in their journey toward self-sufficiency.