Board adopts five-year plan

Improvements to be addressed

FAYETTEVILLE — The Housing Authority board adopted a plan Monday allowing it to receive $281,425 this year to address capital improvements.

The amount represents the largest sum the authority has received from the federal government since 2011 and about $97,000 more than it received last year. However, needs at public housing sites in the city far exceed the amount given.

“They’re only giving us $280,000 to work with for millions of dollars worth of things that need to be repaired,” Commissioner Chris White said. “That’s a bummer.”

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, which administers the federal dollars housing authorities use, requires an updated five-year plan be turned in annually in order to receive the money. If a local board fails to do so, it runs the risk of being put into receivership. The board would dissolve and the federal government would take over.

The city’s Housing Authority board approved its plan about a week before deadline. The vote was held during a special session following its June 28 meeting.

The authority operates four properties: Willow Heights, 10 S. Willow Ave.; Lewis Plaza, 401 S. Lewis Ave.; Hillcrest Towers, 1 N. School Ave.; and Morgan Manor, 324 E. 12th Place. Maintenance at the first three properties comes strictly from federal dollars, while Morgan Manor is under a system called the Rental Assistance Demonstration

program, which combines public and private equity.

The future of Willow Heights has been a hotly contested topic at meetings. The board has already adopted a contract to sell the property and move residents to new units at Morgan Manor.

After a 30-minute discussion, the board waived an agenda item to address the contract further. The vote split 3-2, but a vote minutes before allowed public comment on agenda items in general. Community members had packed Room 326 at City Hall.

About a dozen residents and neighbors spoke on the five- year plan before the board unanimously adopted it. Willow Heights has issues needing to be addressed immediately, several said, specifically air conditioning.

Executive Director Deniece Smiley said residents are allowed to have their own air conditioning, but federal rules dictate windows can’t be blocked. If they are, the property would get a lower score during an inspection, which lowers the amount of money allocated, she said.

Commissioner Melissa Terry suggested creating a community task force to address issues at Willow Heights and explore funding opportunities, asking for a vote from the board. Audience members began passing around a clipboard with each others’ names, contact information and notes.

“We have an opportunity and a bunch of really willing, smart people who are offering to bring fresh ideas to the table,” Terry said. “It’s not a complicated motion.”

Chairman Mike Emery said he preferred to see something in writing before taking a vote, but added that shouldn’t preclude community members from working toward something in the meantime.

The board’s next meeting is scheduled July 26.