Tyler resident Dorothy Pettigrew has a new home.

On Wednesday, city officials presented her with the keys to a newly reconstructed home at 3009 Old Noonday Road.

“We are very proud and excited to hand Dorothy the keys and say ‘Welcome Home,’” Councilman Darryl Bowdre said in a news release.

“This is one of eight homes to be reconstructed this year and we are so pleased to have the city of Tyler’s Reconstruction Program in this area.  The program enables eligible homeowners to enjoy a house that was built to meet their housing needs, and for Dorothy, it is ready for her in time for the Thanksgiving holiday.” 

Ms. Pettigrew’s home was in poor structural condition and in need of extensive repair, according to a news release. Therefore, it was not able to be rehabilitated, but was eligible for replacement.

Demolition occurred on the old existing house, and the house was then reconstructed under the city’s Owner-Occupied Rehabilitation Assistance Program with federal funds provided through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, according to a news release.  

“I am so excited about moving back home,” Ms. Pettigrew said. “I’m just so blessed and I am thrilled about this opportunity. My old home was in such disrepair, I didn’t know what I was going to do. It seemed like everything fell right into place when I got the news that I was approved for the program. I really appreciate all of the work that the city and city workers are doing in north Tyler and their efforts to help citizens such as myself.” 

Her home is one of eight homes that the city has been involved with reconstructing this year.

“The Reconstruction Program is an essential part of the city’s overall approach to revitalizing neighborhoods,” Brenda Johnson, manager of the city’s Neighborhood Services Department, said in a news release.

“It not only directly helps the family that owns the new home, but it improves the surrounding neighborhood by removing a substandard structure and replacing it. It’s a much better use of the public funds.  We expect that the city’s efforts to improve these neighborhoods will result in new and additional private investment and construction.”     

For more information about Tyler’s Owner-Occupied Rehabilitation Program, contact the Neighborhood Services Department’s Office of Community Development at 903-531-1303, or visit www.CityofTyler.org.