Ex-renter owns fixed-up home

George Doris has a new home even though he's never left his old one.

For the past four weeks, workmen have been giving the house at 525 S. Frederick a complete makeover, replacing everything from the roof to windows, doors to flooring.

The house also has new siding, bathroom fixtures, carpeting, wiring and even a new gas stove.

After four years of renting the old, dilapidated house, Doris now owns it. And at age 70, Doris says he's thrilled to be a first-time homeowner. For him, it's a Christmas present.

"I'm glad I got it. Thank God for it," he told Cape Girardeau city and Area Wide United Way officials who showed up Wednesday to celebrate the occasion.

The city and the local United Way paid the down payment and closing costs that allowed Doris to secure a bank loan to buy the small house.

The city and East Missouri Action Agency through grants and other funding financed the renovations.

Steve Williams, the city's housing assistance coordinator, said the entire project, including down payment, cost $25,000.

Just like new

"It will be just like a brand new house," said Williams as he stood in the living room of the house where Marble Hill, Mo., contractor David DeVault and his crew were painting and preparing to lay the carpet.

DeVault said the work should be completed by today.

Williams and Nancy Jernigan, executive director of the Area Wide United Way, convinced Doris to pose in front of his house for reporters. But Doris, dressed in worn-out clothes and tennis shoes, couldn't wait to get back inside out of the cold.

The retired shoe factory worker quickly retreated to a chair in his tiny kitchen.

Doris doesn't mind all the disruption from having to live amid all the construction.

"I just get out of their way," he said of the construction workers.

Doris, who no longer has to cope with a leaky roof, said he's glad to see the house fixed up. "They have done a good job," he said.

The house is one of three this year in the same south Cape Girardeau neighborhood that has been converted from rental property to home ownership through the program.

Jernigan said the project is another step in efforts to provide affordable housing in the city.

"There are a lot of funding opportunities through federal and state grants," she said.

Part of the project involves teaching the new homeowners how to maintain the houses and pay the bills. The University of Missouri Extension will provide the training.

"It's not just about putting them in the house. It's keeping them in the house," Jernigan said.

mbliss@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 123