Levy County and Chiefland government officials and residents gathered at an empty residential dirt lot in the city on Monday to celebrate the groundbreaking of Rebuilding Together North Central Florida’s (Rebuild) first new-build housing project.  

The non-profit is using $170,000 of Levy County’s remaining hurricane housing relief funds from the state to build a new 858-square-foot home for 65-year-old Chiefland resident Tlama White, whose home was destroyed by Hurricane Idalia in August 2023. 

The HUD loan covers demolition of White’s old home, construction of the new one and subsidized housing for her to live in during the build. Crews anticipate White moving into her new home by May. 

“I thank God because this wouldn’t happen without him,” White said. “He gave me a new home. And I’m so grateful for everybody being here.” 

White was in her house with her son and grandbaby when trees crashed through her roof as Hurricane Idalia pelted Chiefland. The mom of three had called the now-demolished house home for over half of the 60 years she’s lived in the city. 

“[The storm] was really bad because it really destroyed my house,” White said. “And then, when I tried to rebuild it, there was mold all in it, and I have COPD, so I really could not stay in it.” 

White said after a friend told her about Rebuild, she applied in one day. 

Executive Director R.D. Bonnaghan said at the groundbreaking that Rebuild operates as a health and safety organization where neighbors help neighbors by providing safe housing for a healthy life.  

Rebuild has served Alachua County from its Gainesville base since 2000, recently branching into Levy County from Bronson within the last two years. 

The organization serves low-income populations through critical and emergency home repairs, as well as programs improving home mobility for the elderly and disabled. Rebuild also partners with Alachua County through its Energy Efficiency Program aiming to reduce utility costs and prevent affordable housing landlords from raising prices post-renovation. 

While Rebuild is currently demolishing and rebuilding its first two homes, including White’s, Bonnaghan said it specializes in renovations.  

Eight other houses are in queue to undergo various degrees of rehabilitation. Even though renovations typically lead to finding more problems that need to be fixed, Bonnaghan said it’s usually best for clients who are attached to their properties.  

“Home is a really emotional thing, as much as it’s a physical thing,” he said. “And so we really try to honor that at Rebuilding Together.” 

Even though Rebuilding Together is a national non-profit, Bonnaghan said each arm, including North Central Florida, succeeds by building local teams from the communities it serves and partnering with their governments.  

Just over one year ago, Levy County reached out to Rebuild with its hurricane funds, which it had until this June to use, and Rebuild compiled the team needed to build White’s home. 

That team included Danny and Corey Montalbano, husband and wife builders from Bronson’s Fourth Dimension Development Company, who spoke at the groundbreaking on the upcoming project.  

“The project isn’t just about putting up walls here for these people,” Corey said. “It’s about providing a safe, energy efficient home that’s going to support our community and its local families, families like Miss White, who has lived on this property for 30 years.” 

Editor’s note: This story was underwritten by a grant from the Rural Reporting Initiative at the Community Foundation of North Central Florida. To learn more or get involved, click here.