SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — Seminole County officials want to spend millions of dollars to fix up vacant and foreclosed short-sale homes in the county.
The project, which costs roughly $4 million, has spread to neighborhoods like Alafaya Woods in Oviedo.
Some residents in the area say they are supportive of the project.
"They need a home, and homes need to be lived in because they'll get run down," said Oviedo resident Lori Detwiler.
However, not all residents agree with taxpayer dollars being spent on already foreclosed properties that could go to low income families.
"I think the money that the county is spending could go back to the schools," said another resident Terri Neber.
Some are concerned that potentially low income families could attract crime and in turn lower property values.
Seminole County officials hope that transforming the properties would actually increase property values and give people a chance to start over.
Habitat for Humanity plans to team up with the county to restore at least four houses in the near future.
Penny Seater works with Habitat for Humanity, and told WFTV that potential buyers' criminal and financial history are checked prior to moving in.
"When you can get people into home ownership, you can really break that cycle of poverty," said Seater.
Each house could cost roughly $100,000 or more to fix up everything. After the families move in, payments would go back to the county to improve more homes.
Some existing residents just want to make sure their neighborhood image remains the same.
The project will be voted on and finalized during the Seminole County Commission meeting on Tuesday.
WFTV
