SIDEBAR
Rodgers , a 59-year-old Black man , is living on disability , and he has lived in public housing ever since moving to New Albany . He has volunteered for seven years with NAHA .
The plan is to be out of the Beechwood apartments by July 31 . Rodgers is going through a homeownership program with NAHA that will allow him to own his own house at Valley View Court near State Street . He has also has a housing voucher that will allow him to rent an apartment in case the Valley View Court house is not ready be the time he moves from Beechwood .
When he moved into Beechwood , it was his first time living in public housing . Now , he is ready to move into his own home .
“ I don ’ t have any complaints ,” Rodgers said . “ I have a roof over my head and it ’ s according to my income ,” he said . “ I just wanted more for myself , and I want to move up . I don ’ t want to sit and get comfortable living in public housing .”
Melissa Fry , a sociologist and director of the Applied Research and Education Center at Indiana University Southeast , said one of the challenges of the voucher program is working with private property owners .
“ One of the issues we have in this area is the property owners don ’ t like to take vouchers , don ’ t like to work with the HUD programs because they have to meet all of these specifications for the safety of their properties and upkeep and whatnot ," Fry said . " And around here , we have a real issue with property owners who have rental properties not taking good care of those rentals .”
NAHA Executive Director Dave Duggins previously told the News and Tribune that residents will be assigned to NAHA employees to help them find housing after they apply for the voucher program , and they go through a 90-day process of moving out from public housing .
The Community Needs Assessment from the Community Foundation of Southern Indiana discusses the challenge associated with landlords failing to maintain properties , as well as the need for expanding code enforcement .
“ Low-income renters who struggle to make rent and feed their families are often left with little leverage to demand better ,” the assessment states . " Increasing local enforcement is important to healthy and safe housing throughout the region and may level the playing field in ways that create greater incentives for local landlords to work with the Housing Choice Voucher program , thus protecting against housing shortages resulting from NAHA ’ s plan not to replace all units slated for demolition .”
SHUTTERED HOUSE IN THE CLAYSBURG NEIGHBORHOOD
12 2022 Diversity Magazine