The Town of Halifax has applied for a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) from the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) for the Banister Town community. In Phase I of this project, the Town will rehabilitate six (6) low- and moderate-income (LMI) housing units, benefiting nine (9) LMI persons: four (4) owner-occupied rehabs and two (2) owner-occupied substantial reconstructions.

This project area is the Town’s top priority because of the citizens’ drive and commitment to improve their neighborhood. The residents desperately want this project, and the Town desires to foster their community interest. The project area was identified and prioritized in the 2010 Halifax County Housing Needs Assessment, funded by the Department of Housing and Community Development. The Needs Assessment was completed in 2012 and identified the top four (4) project areas in the Town. In 2010, this area was divided into three (3) smaller project areas: N. Main St. I, N. Main St. II, and Back Street. Since 2010, approximately seven (7) severely dilapidated homes/structures have been removed. The Town combined all three (3) smaller areas and renamed the project area the “Banister Town Community” and applied for planning grant assistance in June 2021. On August 26, 2021, the Town received initial planning grant funds to assess the needs of the Banister Town community, and a full planning grant was awarded on January 6, 2022 (21-PG-17). Cost estimates received in March 2022 revealed that the Town had to phase the project, so the project area was divided into east (Phase I) and west (Phase II) phases. This application is for Phase I, consisting of six (6) owner-occupied LMI units. The Town will apply for another CDBG in April 1, 2023 for Phase II, consisting of at least nine (9) LMI units.

Housing plays an integral role in the health of an overall community including recruitment of new businesses to an area. By taking an active role in improving its neighborhoods, the Town of Halifax is taking incremental steps to improve the overall appearance of their Town to further their efforts to attract prospective employers. With the combination of housing rehabilitation, annual neighborhood clean-up efforts, and home maintenance education, residents will hopefully have a renewed interest in their properties. As a result, residents may be inspired to make their own private investments to increase curb appeal and neighborhood aesthetics.