You asked: 1,000 on waiting list for public housing

Published 11:01 am Saturday, September 24, 2011

Curious about something in Western Tidewater? Send your question to youasked@tidewaternews.com, and we’ll do our best to find the answer.

You asked: What is the number of public housing units in Franklin?

FRANKLIN—The Franklin Redevelopment and Housing Authority operates 149 public housing units, but the federal government allows it to operate 225 units based on need.

In addition, the housing authority is authorized to distribute up to 315 financial assistance vouchers to pay private landlords who accept them, said Nicole Inabinet, the agency’s interim executive director.

The housing authority has a waiting list of about 1,000 for housing, although not everyone on the list has qualified for the assistance, Inabinet said.

The housing authority has assisted 247 families with vouchers, said Charles Famuliner, acting field office

director for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in Richmond. A voucher holder must pay at least 30 percent of his adjusted gross income on rent and utilities.

The housing authority operates Berkley Court, Old Town and Pretlow Gardens. Suburban Gardens closed more than three years ago.

“We would like to get back to where we have 225 units,” Inabinet said. “We feel we need to be able to provide these services.”

The Franklin Planning Commission in July did not recommend rezoning a Bank Street property for 34 government-subsidized townhouses to replace part of Suburban Gardens. The Franklin City Council has the final say on the matter.

To qualify for public housing in Franklin, income limits range from $12,400 a year for an individual to $62,200 a year for a family of eight.