community

Affordable housing is in great need in the Triad. Winston-Salem city leaders and residents discussed what the city is doing about it, and the challenges that go along with it through a public hearing. Residents brought up issues about homelessness, how to get involved with housing development as well as food insecurity and economic sustainability in Winston-Salem. “There should be some inclusion in there about what the city could do to help, just help people live, have a better quality of life.” Josie Douthit said, a Winston-Salem resident and farmer. Residents were given a draft of the city’s Consolidated Housing and Community Development Plan. It outlined how housing officials plan to address more community services, avenues for small businesses, and affordable housing. “We heard a lot about feeling like there needs to be a bottom-up process so that we’re engaging the community,” Kevin Cheshire said, Executive Director and General Counsel for the Housing Authority of Winston-Salem. “I think we’re been trying to resolve the same problems for a lot of years and people want to know what the plan is and rightfully so.” One of the projects to create more affordable housing in the city is the ‘Choice Neighborhoods’ program.Its funded by a $30 million federal grant.Choice Neighborhoods is a five-phase plan, starting with Brown School Lofts where Brown Elementary once stood on 11th Street and Highland Avenue.And while efforts are being made to build up more units for community members, Cheshire says, they still have a long way to go.”Couple weeks ago we opened our Section 8 waiting list and we received 7,000 applications,” Cheshire said. “So some of this new housing will ease that, but Choice Neighborhoods is a $30-million grant its a $200 million project and we’re only creating 400 units of housing when we need 16,000, so its a drop in a bucket.”Choice Neighborhoods Phase 2 and 3 will take place at Cleveland Avenue homes. Housing officials plan to start the demolition process in the next 30 to 60 days and build approximately 300 units for residents.