COMMUNITY NOTES: Charles City Housing and Redevelopment Authority having a big year

By Katie Nolte, Executive Director, Charles City Housing and Redevelopment Authority

Affordable housing remains the cornerstone of the Charles City Housing and Redevelopment Authority’s mission.

CCHRA’s focus over the past year has been on the modernization of public housing properties, community partnerships and increasing the accessibility of programs to participants, landlords and the general public.

2023 Accomplishments:

In 2023, the CCHRA expanded the scope of its focus on modernizing existing public housing units to meet the evolving needs of the community. CCHRA initiated a series of modernization projects that will have a lasting impact on the quality of life for many years to come.

These efforts go beyond superficial updates and aesthetics, encompassing comprehensive renovations that address structural issues, accessibility features, energy efficiencies in appliances and building systems, and technological needs.

These upgrades are designed to meet the diverse needs of our residents and ensure they have a safe, modern, comfortable living space to call home that allows them to thrive in today’s world.

Some of the notable public housing improvement projects completed in 2023 include:

• Installation of updated electrical service, LED lighting, wireless access points, and hard-wired security camera system at North Cedar Terrace (to be replicated in spring 2024 at Morningside and South Cedar Terrace).

• Replaced roofs at Morningside and windows at North Cedar Terrace.

• Completed a complete gut and modernization of the interior of 8 of 16 units at Morning-side.

• New low-maintenance uniform landscaping around residential buildings at North Cedar Terrace and South Cedar Terrace (in the process) and removal of ash trees at each property.

Community Projects/Partnerships:

Beyond the bricks and mortar of housing, CCHRA continues to invest in community engagement initiatives. These efforts are designed to address barriers and enhance the daily lives of residents while also fostering a sense of belonging and pride.

This year, in partnership with Charles City High School, a community garden program was initiated across all three public housing sites.

Students, under the direction of their FFA advisor, Bret Spurgin, designed and built 32 raised garden beds including two that are wheelchair accessible, with materials provided by CCHRA.

In May of 2023, the students along with CCHRA staff distributed the beds, educational materials, soil and starter plants to tenants and assisted them in getting their gardens started. The project was very successful and will be continued in future years.

Accessibility:

As technology continues to evolve, CCHRA is committed to providing modern and convenient solutions to interact with our programs and office.

The launch of a new mobile responsive CCHRA website, www.charlescityhousing.org, marks a significant step forward in achieving this goal. The site was designed with ease of use in mind. It features interactive applicant, tenant, and landlord portals for communication and exchange of information.

What’s coming in 2024:

CCHRA will continue it’s focus on modernization, grounds maintenance and energy efficiency over the upcoming year. Projects set to tentatively begin in 2024 include:

• Complete wifi, security camera upgrade, and lighting at Morningside and South Cedar Terrace.

• Completion of interior renovations at Morningside.

• Updated building envelopes at North Cedar Terrace and Morningside.

• New playground equipment.

We encourage any member of the public who has questions about our programs and services to contact our office or stop in to discuss. We are happy to provide information or speak with community groups.