An 82-year-old blind Army veteran from Orange County named Eddie Lee can now hear the rain without the dreaded anticipation of leaks, thanks to a new roof over his head—a project made possible by Habitat for Humanity Greater Orlando & Osceola County and the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG). For nearly a decade, Lee's peace of mind was disrupted by a leaking roof that led his home insurance premiums to soar far beyond what his fixed income could comfortably sustain, as reported by Orange County's press release.

Orange County is currently marking the 50th anniversary of the CDBG, highlighting nonprofit efforts assisted by such funding. The grant, which is a flexible pool of federal dollars, serves local needs, spanning affordable housing and economic development. Orange County has tapped into $16 million of CDBG funds in the past five years specifically for housing-related activities and funneled $7 million towards public facilities and infrastructure improvements. Habitat for Humanity Greater Orlando & Osceola County, which has received $1.41 million of CDBG money since 2019, has put the funds to good use, replacing roofs for homeowners like Lee across Central Florida with 118 replacements done and another 80 on the docket for next year.

Eddie Lee's situation typifies the individual stories behind the broader community initiatives, providing us with a lens into the tangible impact these programs have. His new roof not only represents shelter from Florida's unpredictable weather but has also significantly reduced his home insurance premium by more than $2,000.

Catherine Steck McManus, President & CEO of Habitat for Humanity Greater Orlando & Osceola County, emphasized the significance of the CDBG in an interview. "If the Community Development Block Grant program was no longer around in Orange County, it would be a tremendous deficit to the residents here," she said, per the press release. "The CDBG grant really does make an impact neighborhood by neighborhood."

For those interested in learning more about how Orange County utilizes such grant programs, additional information is accessible through the County’s website under the Community Development section, or inquiries can be directed to [email protected].