The intent of the Demolition Assistance Program is to improve the appearance, property value and safety of residential neighborhoods within Escambia County. This program provides Community Development Block Grant funds to low-income households to make possible the elimination of blighted properties. The program will assist income qualified property owners with the cost(s) associated with property abatement to include, but not limited to, land clearing, structure demolition and removal, and debris removal. This program does not cover removal of inoperable vehicles.

This support is provided as a one-time only assistance on a property. If approved, a deferred payment lien will be placed on the property for the amount of the property abatement. This lien will be forgiven after two years provided that the property is not sold or transferred and remains free of further code violations for that time period. If a building permit to develop the property is obtained by the current applicant after the demolition, the applicant can request a release of the lien prior to the two year expiration date. At the time of the demolition, all of the contents and debris will be discarded and removed from the property; the applicant will be responsible for removing any objects of value prior to the demolition. If present, all utilities must be disconnected from their source as well. Due to the limited funding available, elderly and low-income (at or below 50 percent of the area median income, or AMI) applicants will receive priority.

Neighborhood Enterprise

Environmental Enforcement

• Property must have received a notice of violation from Environmental Enforcement.
• Property must be zoned for residential use.
• Applicant must be a current resident of Escambia County.
• Applicant must provide proof of ownership (copy of warranty deed).
• Applicant must not owe any back taxes on the property or other county judgments.
• Applicant must provide documentation to establish Income Eligibility Requirements (applicant must be at or below 80 percent of the area median income).
• Applicant’s case must be forwarded to the Neighborhood Enterprise Division through Environmental Enforcement.
• Priority is given to properties located within an Escambia County Community Redevelopment Area.

Please complete the enclosed preliminary application and return to your Environmental Enforcement officer. The Neighborhood Enterprise Division will contact you to make an appointment to determine your eligibility and to set up an appointment. All information provided to Escambia County/NED will be confidential. For your appointment, you will need to bring the following:

• Picture ID and Social Security Card
• Income Verification (such as current paycheck stub, current SS/SSI printout, retirement statement,
  child support, etc.; staff at NED will tell you what to bring)
• Copy of warranty deed showing ownership of property
• Copy of most recent bank statement