BY STACIE LETT CAIN
More than 7,000 families are currently on waiting lists for public housing in the City of Statesville, according to data presented at Monday night’s city council meeting.
Those on the list can expect to wait from five to 10 years to be placed in public housing.
“Please understand that housing in this country is not a right — it is an opportunity,” Darbah Skaf, executive director of the Statesville Housing Authority explained while giving the council a snapshot of the housing situation currently facing the city. “An opportunity that not all are able to have.”
In a city with only 515 public housing units and the capability of 732 Section 8 vouchers, that leaves a lot of low-income families without access permanent housing. And that’s a situation that Skaf is hoping to address with the help of the city and other governmental entities.
“We contracted with the Central Carolina Council of Government to come up with a strategic plan to help us,” Skaf explained. “We need to have legitimate, honest conversations about where Statesville is in terms of equity, housing and economic development.”
On June 29, at the Statesville Civic Center, these entities will come together to host a forum to discuss the city’s housing issues. Links are available on the Statesville Housing Authority website to register for the event. Registration is required because lunch will be served at the event.
OTHER BUSINESS
In other business:
♦ The council also passed two resolutions and hosted a public hearing, moving the Municipal Operations Center and Fire Station 1 project a step further.
“We need to hold a public hearing and pass two resolutions tonight to keep the ball rolling on this project,” City Manager Ron Smith said, speaking via telephone to the council. “We are asking to secure financing not to exceed $12 million to move forward with completion of this project.”
The council passed both resolutions, one establishing findings and determinations necessary to secure financing and the second allowing for the issuance of the financing for the project.
A public hearing was also held on the proposed 2023-2024 Budget but there were no speakers. A Budget Workshop is scheduled for Wednesday, June 7, at 4 p.m. at the Statesville Civic Center for those interested in attending.
♦ Mayor Costi Kutteh also issued a proclamation in regards to the Juneteenth Celebration, which will be held this year on June 17 on West Broad Street in front of the Broad Street United Methodist Church from 12 to 6 p.m. This year’s theme is “Better Together” and the mayor encouraged citizens to participate.
“This has always been a good event but this is year two at the current location and it just keeps getting better,” he said. “It is a good event and I would encourage all citizens of the City of Statesville to come down and be a part of it.”