Published: July 02, 2008 10:36 pm         

Fayette County labor school to use SALS grant for home repairs

Congressman Nick J. Rahall’s office announced Wednesday that Southern Appalachian Labor School (SALS) in Fayette County will be on the receiving end of a grant worth more than $36,676.

The money comes from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Program and is earmarked for the rehabilitation and weatherization of low-income and rural housing in southern West Virginia.

SALS director John David did not immediately return a telephone call Wednesday.

“All Americans deserve the opportunity to find a safe and stable place to call home and raise their families,” said Rahall, D-W.Va. “These grants will help some of West Virginia’s hardest working families make needed repairs and upgrades to their homes.”

The funding is intended to support the ongoing efforts of the organization in Beards Fork to repair and rehabilitate low-income housing owned and occupied by rural mine workers living in former coal camps.

SALS housing repair and rehabilitation programs offer high school dropouts the unique opportunity to prepare for the GED and obtain certifiable construction competencies to be used later in life.

SALS is currently working on a “coalfield housing initiative” to rehabilitate coal-camp dwellings that are typical of those built at the start of the 20th century. These homes often suffer from poor plumbing, lack of insulation and no foundations.

In addition to the USDA funds, SALS is providing $10,800, while the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Youth Build program is pitching in another $94,057 in matching funds — for a total project cost of $141,533.

“Home ownership and housing maintenance are increasingly difficult for low-income Americans living in rural areas to afford,” Rahall stated. “I am pleased these funds will help many West Virginians have better, safer places to live.”

— E-mail: mhill@register-herald.com