Council eyes public housing

Decision described as unprecedented

FAYETTEVILLE — Mayor Lioneld Jordan wants to hear from the City Council and members of the public before he decides whether to sign off on the Housing Authority’s plans, which will be submitted past federal deadline.

The council added to its Tuesday agenda, and then tabled, a recommendation to approve or change to the authority’s annual and rolling five-year plans. The Housing Authority board approved the plans, which it must do every year, during a July 9 meeting.

The city’s administration historically also has signed off on the plans, as well as the plans for the Community Development Block Grant program, in order for the federal government to award the money each year. The Housing Authority is set to receive $281,425 for capital needs while CDBG was awarded $668,915.

The council will address the issue during its next meeting Aug. 7.

However, the authority’s deadline to turn in the plans was Tuesday. Housing Authority Board Chairman Mike Emery described the council’s move as unprecedented.

“The plan, with or without the mayor’s signature, will be submitted late, putting the HUD funding for FHA in jeopardy,” he said.

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, which combines public and private equity.

A memorandum to the council from Assistant City Attorney Blake Pennington highlighted parts from the plans involving the possible demolition of public housing properties, as well as the possible conversion of properties to the RAD program.

A plan to sell Willow Heights to a private landowner and move residents to Morgan Manor has gained significant public attention in recent months. Neighbors and residents packed City Hall during the July 9 meeting.

Other topics highlighted in the memorandum include the authority’s deconcentration

of poverty policy and the amount it pays for consultants, particularly for the RAD process.

About 6 p.m. Tuesday, crews repaired a pipe that burst at Willow Heights the day before. Water service was restored, but a boil order will remain in place until further notice. Emery said crews had to jackhammer through a concrete sidewalk and dig 14 feet to get to the pipe, which was a beneath a storm drain. The pipe was installed in 1972, he said.

The Salvation Army opened its doors to Willow Heights residents to serve dinner Tuesday. Residents also could use showers at the Yvonne Richardson Center. Whole Foods donated food. Walmart on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard donated a pallet of bottled water. 7 Hills and Red Cross personnel also assisted residents. The Housing Authority also bought water and CDBG delivered ice.