| Even before Hurricane Floyd hit Pasquotank County, North Carolina, in 1999, the area was plagued with housing and other economic problems. A significant number of low-income county residents live in homes without hot and cold running water or indoor toilet facilities. The county also has an above-average supply of substandard housing. Recent closings of several major employers have caused problems of unemployment and underemployment.
The devastation caused by Hurricane Floyd exacerbated the area's need for housing repairs and new construction. Although the hurricane recovery process has been underway for almost 2 years, additional measures are needed to help residents address their housing needs. There is also a need to increase affordable housing opportunities and to expand housing choices, including homeownership.
Elizabeth City State University in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, will be using its Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) grant to help Pasquotank County residents improve their housing and employment picture. The university will work with its community partners to rehabilitate substandard homes, offer help to local residents who want to become homeowners, and provide pre-employment counseling, job training, and job placement services. The university will also rehabilitate the local Boys and Girls Club, and will develop a consortium to oversee operation of existing, HUD-supported Neighborhood Networks computer centers.
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