The Johnson County Board of Supervisors approved a $20,000 block grant to fund mobile-home rehabilitation on a 3-2 vote Thursday.

Although the supervisors approved the project June 7 in a 3-1 vote, Supervisors Terrence Neuzil and Janelle Rettig remained adamantly opposed. They said they did not support the investment of tax dollars into pre-1976 mobile homes with potential fire hazards.

"I believe that even the poor deserve to live in safe housing, and I’ve been very consistent on that issue," Rettig said.

Neuzil said he would prefer to use the funds to remove the pre-1976 mobile homes and find safer homes for the inhabitants. Supervisor Pat Harney, who voted in favor of the block grant, said he thought it was important to improve the living conditions for those in low-income housing. The project will provide up to $5,000 for repairs on each trailer.

—by Anna Egeland