NWGHA to participate in bed bug eradication trial

The authority also adopts a policy for residents of new developments.

The Northwest Georgia Housing Authority has been selected to participate in a research trial of a new chemical product to get rid of bed bugs without displacing apartment dwellers for an extended period of time. The housing authority also approved a new “Working Preference” policy that will impact residents of five public housing complexes in Rome and Rockmart.

Norman Pleger, the director of technical services for the housing authority, told the board of directors Wednesday the agency will be the only housing authority in Georgia to participate in the study being led by Professor Nina Jenkins at Pennsylvania State University. “It’s an all natural bioinsecticide,” Pleger said. “You don’t have to move out of the house, but they recommend that you do stay out of the house about four hours after the application.”

Pleger said the treatment completely eradicates bed bugs within four to seven days. He said the early research recommends application in areas that are prone to bed bugs at least once a quarter.

The trial is expected to take place beginning in November. The housing authority board approved the new Working Preference policy that will be applied to residents of the new Joe Wright Village on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, the Village Green and Willingham Village at Division Street apartments off Division Street, the Charles Hight Homes on Avenue B in Rome and the Jackson Square apartments in Rockmart.

All of the properties are newer developments that have higher rental rates for residents. The new policy provides that the head of household in any of the Working Preference developments must be working at least 30 hours a week at minimum wage or above. If that person loses his or her job, they have three months to obtain employment.

If the person cannot get another job, the housing authority would have the right to relocate the family to other properties owned or managed by the housing authority.

The new policy is not slated to go into effect until Oct. 1. Pleger said the duplex and single-family units at Joe Wright Village should be ready for occupancy late this fall.

ABOVE: Ramon Morales custom cuts a brick to be used in one of the new single-family homes at Joe Wright Village, a development of the Northwest Georgia Housing Authority.

Photos by Doug Walker, Rome News-Tribune LEFT: Members of the Northwest Georgia Housing Authority Board of Directors mull over a “Working Preference” policy. Looking over the policy are Lillie Dyar (from left) Jim Keaten, back to camera, Mary Helen Heaner, Michael Taylor and attorney Stewart...