(Clinton, KY July 30, 2015) - While candidates for state office in November roam the Purchase this week before the Fancy Farm Picnic, looking for hands to shake, babies to kiss and backs to slap, the work of local government goes on. Mayors and county judges across this region struggle to find funds to support sagging infrastructures.

One such local meeting was held at Clinton City Hall this Wednesday morning. The public meeting about housing is a perfect example of the work that goes on in city halls across the Commonwealth.

The City of Clinton is applying for $400,000 from the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program to assist in refurbishing and upgrading two low income housing complexes. - Clinton Hills and Clinton Apartments.

Though the law requires holding the public meeting, it was sparsely attended. No residents of either complex were on hand. Reporters from the Hickman County Gazette and Hickman County Times and one city councilman sat at the Clinton City Hall meeting table and took notes as PADD representative Brad Davis explained the scope of the project.

A new company has purchased both complexes and plans to upgrade the interior of the 24 apartments in each are underway. Volunteer Management and Development Corporation, headquartered in Jackson, Tennessee, has extensive experience, according to Davis, in operating and funding units like Clinton's.

The company has plans to upgrade the complex. Each apartment will get new windows, appliances, flooring and doors, Roofs and gutters on the buildings will be repaired and if necessary, replaced. Volunteer's projected a cost $900,000 for each complex for a total cost of $1.9 million. Funding for the project has been approved by Kentucky Housing, according to Davis, but the company has more steps to take before the money begins to flow. He estimates work on the apartments won't begin until spring, although some work can be done in winter. Empty units will be upgraded first and residents moved out of their apartments as theirs are worked on.

Davis was asked if rent on the apartments will increase with new owners and better facilities. He said that since the units are low income housing that approval would have to come from the government to increase rental prices. Even if there is an increase, since tenants' share of the rent is income based, they should not see any change in their rent if their income has not changed.

If Clinton's grant application for improvement to streets and parking area is approved, that work will wait for the other. As Davis said, "There's no point putting in new pavement only to have big trucks tear it up."