Business
(2009-09-15)
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WABE's Charles Edwards reports
Decatur Housing Authority head Paul Pierce says Allen Wilson Terrace is 68 years old and it shows.
PIERCE: "So, the housing authority over time has upgraded the complex but you still have the core units that are still small closets and small bedrooms and somewhat
out of date systems that can't be replaced."
The new Terrace will be built in 3 still to be designed phases. Most of the apartments will be for low-income residents. But, the federal government will only subsidize so many apartments. That means the Housing Authority may leave 20 Terrace apartments for private tenants.
If they build it, Pierce feels confident private renters will come.
PIERCE: "It is not being designed to a lower standard just because it's public housing. So, we feel that the quality of the unit would attract people and certainly there's still a shortage particularly in Decatur of housing that is affordable to the workforce."
Meanwhile, Pierce guarantees 35 families who lived in the Terrace before can come back if they want. Other low-income residents have moved elsewhere.
Charles Edwards, WABE News. © Copyright 2009, WABE
