RRHA held a public hearing on their proposed 2008 Agency Plan this evening at the Calhoun Center in Gilpin Court. The agency presented their plan to “change the face of public housing”, described the budget challenges that they face, and took heat from residents and advocates on the RRHA’s innability to promise a one-to-one replacement of any housing units sold or demolished.

The powerpoint presentation described first the challenges faced by the RRHA, including aging and distressed housing stock, dwindling capital funds, customer satisfaction, rent collection, property curb appeal, and lack of Federal support. Deputy Executive Director Rodney Forte described strategic priorities over the next year, including the “major rehab” of 30 public housing units at Stovall on southside, demolition of Dove Street/Carrington, the sale of 119 single-family homes, and community engagement in the master planning for the redevelopment of Gilpin/North Jackson Ward.

Forte reiterated several times that the RRHA is committed to trying for one-for-one replacement for units demolished or sold, but said plainly that this might not happen. They are committed to keeping as many units as possible, but “can not promise” that they will be able to maintain the current number.

The renovation at Stovall will be a total green rehab of 30 units. All current residents will be temporarily relocated and may return to the development. The end result will be “a completely different property”. Construction is set to begin in the next few months.

The recently-purchased Dove Court is set to be redeveloped as new construction townhomes. This will be a mixed income community, to include elderly housing. The goal is to include 60 public housing units in the new plan.

The RRHA has plans for over 100 single family homes to be fully renovated and targeted for sale to public housing families. There were 2 sets of houses shown during the presentation, smaller bungalow-style houses with prices starting at $66,000, and larger, more contemporary homes starting at $73,000.

The biggest project on the books is the redevelopment of Gilpin/North Jackson Ward. The RRHA intends to transform its oldest and largest public housing development and the adjacent North Jackson Ward community into a mixed-income community.

Forte made a point of saying that the only plan so far is to hire a master planner; no actual plans for the redevelopment have been made yet. After the planner is brought on board, the RRHA will then meet with community every step of the way. Saying that “we can all agree that the property can not remain as it is”, Forte said of the redevelopment process that “we can not do this without the residents in the community.”

Following the presentation, a time was set aside for questions from the public. No answers given at the meeting, but will be provided in writing and included in the final Agency Plan document. A summarization of the questions/statements made by the public:

• Why are there only 2 of the 7 members of the board of directors present at this meeting?
• As a resident, I support for one-to-one replacement. 400 people were moved out of Blackwell, 75 moved back in. I would like to see the new housing, not hear the same thing in 2011 as we were told in 2004, 2005, 2006…
• We should have a written comment period on one-for-one replacement. 2 minutes is not enough time to comment.
• Urges RRHA to make a commitment to one-for-one like kind for any units demolished or sold.
• RTO and tenant councils need to be better about getting information to the residents.
• Average inclome in Gilpin is less than $10/k year, rent $180 month. This is why one-to-one replacement is so important.
• Written comments on this meeting can be submitted for the next 10 days to 901 Chamberlayne Parkway (please put Agency Plan/RRHA)
• Tenants organization in favor of one-to-one replacement.
• Marty Jewell (5th District Council): I’ve heard this before. Beyond the words, we know we have a lot of work to do. Council has been in the dark, we don’t know what you’re doing. We need assurance that what you promise can be delivered (”and I do call for one-to-one replacement”).
• Replacing public housing with vouchers is a bad idea.
• Build and replace as you go. Replace 3 bedrooms with 3 bedrooms. There is space in Blackwell.
• You (in the crowd) will have to be political. You’re going to have to vote. If you’re not registered to vote, get registered.
• How can a disable person making under $15,000 year afford to live anywhere other than public housing?
• We need promises that Blackwell will not happen again.