When Clarence Jackson and Community Ventures found each other, Jackson, a man in his 70s, was in the midst of a very rough patch in life. Having served as a Marine in Vietnam, the veteran suffered from the effects of both PTSD and Agent Orange, the latter being the probable cause of the two forms of cancer that he has been battling since 2005. Intermittently relying on a wheelchair for mobility following surgery to correct bulging discs that nearly left Jackson paralyzed, he had been living in a north Lexington neighborhood rife with drug dealers and prostitution. Thanks to the partnership of Community Ventures and the Kentucky Housing Corporation, Jackson now resides in a much safer neighborhood, as the owner of a newly renovated home with wheelchair accessibility.
Two workers at the senior living apartment building where Jackson resided befriended him and were instrumental in getting him in touch with Community Ventures’ Myron Agnew and Jackie Faris, who then began the search for a suitable, affordable home. CV’s Rural Rehab Program allows qualifying individuals to find a home in one of the rural counties designated for the program. Community Ventures will purchase the home, provide the necessary renovations which can include new heating and cooling systems, roofing and trim, electrical systems and anything else that needs to be updated or improved. While making these renovations, the buyers may also be able to add new custom finishes to the home. This program wouldn’t be possible without the Kentucky Housing Corporation. KHC designates organizations like Community Ventures as Community Housing Development Organizations, which allows those organizations to offer the Rural Rehab Program to their clients.
“Myron found me a house in Georgetown close to the grocery and other stores. Now I’m in a neighborhood where all the neighbors are welcoming. There are a lot of seniors but also some youthful people, too,” Jackson explained. “I’ve been in here since April of 2021, and Myron made sure that the house meets all my needs. The house was completely remodeled, and they made sure it is wheelchair accessible.”
According to Agnew the house was being sold by the children of the gentleman who had lived there until his death. The deal almost didn’t come together because the asking price was too high for Jackson’s budget. Unwilling to give up on an otherwise perfect property, Agnew reached out to the family and explained the situation. Turns out their father was also a veteran who they felt would have wanted to help a brother in arms, so they lowered their price to make it affordable for Jackson.
“They took it upon themselves to make it happen for me,” a grateful Jackson said of everyone involved. “We did the paperwork and then they handed me the keys and told me that I was a homeowner. Whatever magic that was worked to insure I could get in here, well…I’m just blessed.”
If you or someone you know may be interested in qualifying for the Rural Rehab Program, give us a call today at (859) 231-0054.
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