MUHLENBERG CO., KY (WFIE) -
The city of Powderly, Kentucky has been awarded a one million dollar grant to replace rundown homes with new ones in the community.
Gerald Brooks has lived in his home for over 60 years, and recently, he and his wife had to move into a trailer next door because their house wasn't livable anymore.
"It's in bad shape, but it's old enough to be in bad shape," Brooks said.
Last year, the Brooks were on a list of 12 families that would receive a new home thanks to a federal grant administered by the Kentucky Department for Local Government, but that fell through.
"At one point, we thought we had it and we didn't really want to tell the people, but we actually told a couple of them. When we didn't get it, they were really disappointed, but this time, we know we've got it," said Powderly Mayor Bobby Creager.
On that list again this year is Brooks and his wife who say it was just as special hearing the news the second time around.
"I don't know where to start, just getting in there will be a big joy," Brooks said.
Powderly has received similar grants twice before, and there are homes throughout the city that have been built through this same program.
Creager says it's always special seeing good things happen like this to such deserving people.
"I've always watched those reality shows and I thought if there was ever an opportunity to do something like that for people, it'd be great. It just feels great to be able to help people like this right here," Creager said.
Sometime next year, the Brooks' will make their way into a fully furnished new home, something that they say is hard to put into words.
"I'm just tickled to get it," Brooks said.
City officials expect construction on the homes to begin sometime towards the end of this year.
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Gerald Brooks lived in this home for over 60 years until recently, when it became unlivable.
