The Wilmington Housing Authority is moving full-speed toward its goal of getting a thirty-million-dollar federal grant to revitalize Hillcrest—and it’s seeking public input. If awarded a competitive Choice Neighborhood Grant, the Authority will be working with the community to improve not only the public housing project, but the city spanning Third to Fifteenth, and Castle to Martin streets.
The Authority’s board is seeking Wilmingtonians to serve alongside board commissioners on a committee dedicated to the Choice grant application. Board chairman Jeff Hovis says this entity will consist of four subcommittees: neighborhood, housing, education and people. Since the revitalization plan involves a ten-year project, Hovis hopes to work with citizens who exhibit long-term, emotional commitment to the city.
"It can’t just be someone who thinks, ‘I can build a store,’ you know? It has to be people who see that if we improve quality of life in one part of town, it just trickles to all the other parts."
Hovis says ideas from the community have helped the Authority improve safety in its housing developments following the recent spate of violent crimes. The board is also opening itself up to public input into its search for a new CEO.
***For more information about joining the Choice Grant committee, or submitting your ideas regarding a new Housing Authority CEO, visit the Wilmington Housing Authority website.