A Richland County resident displaced by the 2015 flood began the new year in a new home, thanks to a partnership between the County’s flood recovery program and Mungo Construction.

Over the holidays, representatives of the County and the nationally recognized, Columbia-based homebuilder celebrated the first completed single-family home under the initiative.

“I love it. Such a joyful time to know that I have my key and I can move in,” said Viola Vereen, who received the new home. “The burden has just been lifted off of me.”

Through the federal Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery program (CDBG-DR), Mungo Construction is demolishing and rebuilding homes that were severely damaged by the flood, allowing residents to return to their communities.

The exterior of Viola Vereen’s home.

The County and Mungo are building 42 houses. CDBG-DR assists families with low to moderate incomes who were living in owner-occupied houses during the flood.

“As a homebuilder, we’re always about creating new life for our customers,” said Ward Mungo, the company’s vice president. “This is really the epitome of being a builder and helping create that new life for folks.”

CDBG-DR funding is administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

“It’s a joy because we’re committed to changing people’s lives through this program,” said Clayton Voignier, who oversees flood recovery efforts related to housing as director of Richland County Community Planning and Development.

“Anytime we can come together as a County using whatever funding sources we have to make a difference in someone’s life and to see them grow and be a part of this community, it’s a wonderful thing to be a part of,” Voignier said.

From left: Ward Mungo, vice president of Mungo Construction; Richland County resident Viola Vereen; and Clayton Voignier, director of Richland County Community Planning and Development.

The rebuild project is targeted for completion in July.