Neighborhood Stabilization Program 3 Impacts Centerville, South Dakota, Community

From left to right: Gene Wenstrom - Hanson Communications; Lorraine Polak - South Dakota Housing Development Authority; Ruth Christopherson - Citibank; Brad Prehein - Centerville Mayor; Bill Hansen - Centerville Development Corp.; Roger Jacobs - Field Office Director HUD; Steve Schoepf - S&P Construction; Lynne Keller Forbes South East Council of Governments

The Centerville Development Corporation (CDC) recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house in honor of the completion of their third Neighborhood Stabilization Program 3 (NSP3) project.

When the CDC acquired the home it was in poor condition and it was suggested to demolish the 100 year old home. Rather than demolition, the CDC utilized $70,000 of NSP3 funds to acquire and rehabilitate the home.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development developed NSP3 to help stabilize communities that have suffered from foreclosures and abandonment. Through this program, HUD has been able to positively impact communities like Centerville, one rehabilitated home at a time.

Yet this was truly a community-driven project with several volunteers including: the CDC, the Centerville FFA Chapter, the City of Centerville and many community members. Steve Schoepf of S&P Construction and project manager said, "This is probably the most rewarding project I have worked on."

Many of the beautiful antique features were able to be preserved such as the leaded glass windows, cast iron furnace grates and essential historic character.

Green two story home with snow in yard

The home was totally renovated with a new roof, windows, sheetrock, plumbing, wiring, light fixtures, baths, hardwood flooring, and carpet. The character of the home was preserved while adding new energy efficiency features such as the high efficiency furnace, central air, and energy star appliances.

HUD Sioux Falls Field Office Director, Roger Jacobs, said, "This will make a great home for a family in Centerville with the charm of an older home and the features of a new home." Income-qualified families interested in this home will be provided homebuyer education through a HUD-approved housing counseling agency. There are already three families interested in the home.

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