Grant Street and the Konan Family

-by Bruce Heath  

The Community Development Corporation of Utah (CDC) purchased the house at 454 Grant Street in Rose Park on the open market earlier this year using Salt Lake City development funds from our Community Development Block Grant.  Carol LaFreniere, our Home Sales Coordinator, found the house.  It was located in a decent older neighborhood, near a new neighborhood park, and was structurally sound. But the interior and exterior of the house had become very run down from its previous inhabitants.  When we first entered the house, one of the most appalling rooms was a bedroom which had drug-use syringes and other junk scattered on the floor.

Rehabilitation of the house was contracted to J.R. Riddle Remodeling, one of our most conscientious general contractors.  J.R. is a craftsman who takes particular pride in restoring such a house into becoming an attractive, livable home, and he enjoys tackling a challenge like this one.  Working under the direction of Jeff Hayden, our Construction Manager, J.R. and the subcontractors did a lot of work on the house. 

Outside, elegant white ballister posts and railings were added to the porch to restore the house to the historical style of the era.  A new decorative white vinyl fence was added across the front yard, further enhancing the curb appeal of the home.  It was given a new roof and was completely resided with attractive vinyl siding.  The windows were also replaced, with new thermopane windows throughout, increasing the heating efficiency dramatically. 

Inside, the heating system was replaced with a modern and efficient forced-air gas unit and ductwork.  All the rooms were completely repainted.  New carpet and black-and-white checkerboard vinyl tile floors were installed.  Upgraded plumbing throughout and new appliances, including range and fridge, have given the home a completely fresh interior.  A tub surround and tiling were added in the bathroom, and it received a new vanity. 

One of the ways we are able to do such extensive remodeling and still keep the price of the home affordable for our lower-income homebuyers is by using our Affordability Project Warehouse.  Our Warehouse Manager, Jay Wilder, solicits and uses donated building materials and appliances which are stored in our well-stocked 7,000 square foot warehouse until we can use them in projects like this home.   Some of the materials used in this rehabilitation came from our warehouse, including the classic new ballisters and handrails on the porch.

As the rehabilitation was in progress, this home was one we used to film a promotional DVD video produced for us by Media Solutions of KUED.   As we were filming it,

several different people from the neighborhood stopped by to find out what we were doing. 

We explained CDC’s program, and they each expressed what an improvement it would be to the neighborhood, what an eyesore the house had been, and what a trouble spot its various inhabitants had been for the neighborhood.  They were all very grateful that we were restoring it to sell to a stable family.

But it doesn’t end there; as Paul Harvey would say, ‘And now for the rest of the story…’.

In 1989, Amos Konan and his wife Doris Jarlee fled for their lives from their home in Liberia. 

Amos had been employed by the Liberia Produce Marketing Corporation as a professional soccer player on the team which the company sponsored.  He had owned a substantial typical urban African home made of concrete blocks, and lived a normal peaceful life.  His country, Liberia, had been founded in 1847 with the support of the U.S. as an independent nation on the west coast of Africa by repatriated slaves and free-born African-Americans who had been returned to their home continent.  It was the first republic in Africa and was for many years a model country.    

But, in 1989, an exceptionally horrific, brutal civil war broke out, which eventually killed in excess of 200,000 people.  Tens of thousands who were able to left the country, and Amos among them escaped to the Ivory Coast, where he survived for 15 years. 

Two years ago the International Rescue Committee was finally able to resettle Amos and his family as refugees in Utah.  They arrived with nothing, moved into a large inexpensive but rough apartment complex, Amos got a good job building window frames for Amsco Windows, Doris got a job with WalMart, the children started school, and they began adjusting to their new life here.   

Owning your own home is an American Dream, but it is also a universal longing.  Amos wanted more for his family than renting an apartment where there was loud music, rowdiness, and noise at all hours of the night and where he feared for the safety of his children.  So, after they were able to save a little money, they began trying to buy a livable and affordable house.  They looked at a number of houses for sale, but in their price range all of those available were substandard. 

Then, their real estate agent, Cheryl Stevenson of Reeve Realty, brought them to CDC.  Working with Carol LaFreniere, they began looking at homes we had available.  In December last year, Amos and Doris took our Homebuyer Education seminar, and then met with our Homebuyer Education Coordinator, Elizabeth Tanner, for individual counseling.  Liz reviewed their budget, talked to them about the importance of savings, and reviewed their housing ratios to make sure they understood how much of their money can go to a mortgage.  Because the housing market and the process of buying a home is so different here than in Liberia, she also explained the ins-and-outs of how these things work here.

Isabel Jackson, our Client Information Specialist helped them work through their issues and suggested they look at our house on Grant Street.  They did, fell in love with it, and made an offer on it.  Because they had inadequate savings, they applied for, qualified for, and with the advice and assistance of Isabel and Nancy Lorenzo, our Homebuyer Services Program Manager, they received an “Own in Salt Lake” down payment assistance grant for $5,000 and a principal reduction grant for $6,999 from Federal Home Loan Bank of Seattle.  They also paid $500 of their savings as a down payment.  On July 11, 2006, funding was completed and they were given the keys to their new home.

They are now in their own snug home. 

Doris said that even though the house was a little small for six people, it is easy to take care of.  “It takes only about one hour to clean up after work, and we have a big backyard for the children to play in.”  She is very happy to be living in her own home instead of the apartments. “I haven’t seen anything we don’t like about it.”  The interior looks much like any other American home, with a TV, stereo and computer, sofas, flowers, a kitchen that is neat but lived in. 

The decor is generally vibrant and colorful, and a welcoming religious cross hangs over the front door. 

When you walk in the front door you feel at home.

Amos and Doris are working, and Amos is also going to school at Salt Lake Community College.  This year, Joseph (age 18) is a Senior at East High, Love (13) is in 8^th grade at Northwest Middle School, Peace (10) attends Jackson Elementary, and Chris (4) is in day care when both parents are at work. 

Their new neighbors have come over and welcomed them into the neighborhood, and the neighborhood kids come over and play with their kids.  “This neighborhood is very calm,” said Amos.  “I feel different now.  Here no one disturbs me”. 

We asked Amos and Doris what it was like working with CDC; both had nothing but positive comments.  “CDC was very good to work with, very helpful, very friendly.  They taught us how to maintain the furnace.”  They found the homebuyer class and counseling especially helpful.  “When we came there, we were very discouraged.  But after the class, with our certificate in hand we had hope, we looked forward to life ahead.”

Asked how they liked living in Utah, Amos said “We were happy to move to Salt Lake.  Utah is a good state to live in with children.  Very friendly.  We love Salt Lake.”

Then he smiled wistfully and said, “Utah is boring, and I like that.”

“Children here are safe; my children won’t see bad things here”.