At the Cascade County Commission meeting on Tuesday, a grant was funded for a manufactured home.
The grant - which will not exceed $92,728 - will help Betsy Ethridge get a new home in Cascade. She has been working on getting the grant since December 2015.
NeighborWorks Great Falls has been a big part of this process.
Sherrie Arey , executive director of NeighborWorks Great Falls, explained, “NeighborWorks has a variety of programs that help people find affordable homes, whether it's into a single home, a loan, or a down payment assistance."
That’s exactly what Betsy did, and the grant was finally approved. “It’s been going on for a number of years now we have had setbacks, but yay it’s finally done so that’s exciting!"
Her existing home had framing and plumbing problems, welding issues, a leaky roof, and the water heater no longer works.
The house hasn’t been livable for a while, and Betsy just wants a fresh start.
Betsy said, “This was my home, my husband passed away in this home and it would be nice to get a different home to start a whole new perspective on life."
They are hoping to break ground next week and for Betsy to be in the home by Christmas.
Click here to visit the NeighborWorks website to learn more about programs they offer .
NOTE: NeighborWorks Great Falls has clarified information originally presented in this article.
"The funds approved yesterday are a deferred loan to Betsy, not a grant. She will have no payments and no interest on the funds given, but the full amount will be paid back to the county from her estate if she moves or in the future when she passes. The “grant” confusion stems from that the counties ability to provide this deferred loan comes from the use of Community Development Block Grant funding. This is a similar scenario to the deferred down payment assistance available, in which hopeful home buyers under a set income guideline can apply for at anytime. Please see the Home deferred second mortgage section on our website for more information. The program is done around the country helps low to moderate residents to be able to afford a quality, safe home."
