SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla.,None — It's a new effort that could help reduce the number of vacant foreclosed homes.
Instead of building new houses, the county has decided to fix up empty homes for people in need. The move could also help raise property values for other people.
Sterling Meadows is a quiet community, not just because the neighbors are nice, but because they say there are roughly a dozen foreclosed homes here.
Mike Bray has lived in Sterling Meadows for two years.
"You can see the lawns and stuff, the banks don't keep up with them very well," Bray said.
Now Seminole County wants its turn, so officials are getting help from Seminole Youth-Build and Habitat for Humanity, which together will fix up six homes instead of building new homes.
"Right now we feel like it is the socially responsible thing to do, to take inventory out of the market, rather than add to it," said Penny Seater of Habitat for Humaity of Seminole.
One of the reasons the county picked Sterling Meadows is because there are a lot of foreclosed properties and for sale signs.
Officials hope to get rid of some of those sign while at the same time, giving people an affordable place to live.
"We can house a family for half the cost of a brand new house," Seater said.
Each project will cost around $125,000.
After a family moves in, the payments will go back to the county's project to rehab more houses across the county. From fresh paint to more energy efficient windows, they're upgrades Bray thinks are worth the money.
"I think it's great and if it helps out people in their time of need, sure," Bray said.
To sign up for a habitat house -- people must show a need.
To quality, at least 30 percent of a person's income must go to housing, or you must be living in poor conditions, or have several families in the same home.
You also need to show proof of income or employment, and the willingness to help out in the building or refurbishing process.