New ‘workforce’ housing discussed in Oak Ridge
A public-housing agency is discussing building a new housing project in Oak Ridge.
Maria Catron, executive director of the Oak Ridge Housing Authority, talked about her organization’s plans at the Oak Ridge City Council meeting April 10.
The project would be on land currently owned by the city of Oak Ridge behind Scarboro Community Center and across the street from Oak Ridge Schools’ Scarboro Preschool, which serves the entire city. Catron explained in an email that many details are still unclear. In a memo she called it “quality, affordable workforce housing.” The City Council took no vote, but several members said they appreciated the proposal.
“This is a culmination of a lot of hard work to get to this point,” Catron told the council. “There are opportunities to move forward with affordable housing, particularly in the Scarboro community.”
She also said this housing should be part of “revitalization plan” for the historic Scarboro community.
The Courier News asked Catron about the type of housing, who would qualify to live there, who would pay to develop the housing, and the price of rent.
“At this time, we do not have any specific answers as we have not started the visioning process,” she said. “Over the course of the summer, we will be meeting together as a community to discuss these various topics and formulate a plan [that] would address these questions.
“If an individual is interested in participating in this visioning and planning process, they are welcome to contact me,” she said.
Among the City Council members praising the plan was Derrick Hammond, who works in the Scarboro community as pastor of Oak Valley Baptist Church.
He said there had already been two meetings discussing housing issues, one at Scarboro Community Center and the other at his own church. He told stories of a single parent and a young recent graduate, both living with their mothers. He said one member of his church lost her rental home because the owner decided to sell it.
“I’m really, really excited about this opportunity to actually service those who we have been called to service and those who have been historically disadvantaged,” Hammond said.
People may contact Catron at 865-482-1006, Ext. 125, on her mobile phone at 865-660-6733. or by email at mcatron@orha.net.
