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Norfolk continues plan to relocate thousands despite transition program, assistance delay

The St. Paul's Area redevelopment project in Norfolk is gaining steam ahead of possible summer relocation, while the city assembles a makeshift transition team in response to 'People First' delay.

NORFOLK, Va. — The City of Norfolk could start to relocate thousands of residents this summer, even though the city has still not fulfilled a promise to contract with a third party to provide comprehensive care and planning for families on the move.

As part of the massive St. Paul's Area redevelopment project, where the city plans to relocate residents of Tidewater Gardens, Young Terrace and Calvert Square, Norfolk promised a 'People First' program to help with the move.

Norfolk sent out a Request for Proposals to find a third party that could aid with the families' transition to a different housing situation, while also providing comprehensive care for years to come. 

Council members said the initial RFP responses did not include any suitable options, so the city sent out a second RFP, and is awaiting responses which the city will review at the beginning of March.

In the meantime, the first wave of residents in Tidewater Gardens are preparing for a move from the housing communities that were built in the 50s, Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority Executive Director John Kownack said.

The delay of People First caused Norfolk to find a makeshift alternative. 

"Obviously, we cannot wait until we have a People First lead in place before we start working with individuals," city councilwoman Angelia Williams Graves said.

The city tasked a group of 20 Department of Human Services workers to help work with the first group of 187 families who are preparing for relocation this summer.

"People First is a long-term program we're hoping to have in place this summer," Kownack said. "But right now, because we could be making vouchers available, we're providing our own resources to help people understand their choices."

Relocated residents have the choice of moving to a different public housing complex or accepting a voucher to move into private housing around Norfolk and the surrounding cities. Kownack said he expects many of the families to accept vouchers and move to different areas, but emphasized that families have the choice.

"We're expecting in Tidewater [Gardens] about 50 percent [will take a voucher] but again, it's a choice," Kownack said. "That's just a projection, it's not a requirement."

Kownack said out of 3,500 current public housing units, 2,000 families and residents are on a regular voucher waiting list, helping inform his projection. 

Once all residents move out of the St. Paul's Area, Norfolk plans to demolish existing homes and rebuild more equitable housing. Councilwoman Angelia Williams Graves said she doesn't want everyone to move back to St. Paul's, because then the city effectively re-concentrates poverty. She said she's hoping for a mixed-use solution.

"If we spread people out and then we integrate income levels, professions, and working classes, then what we've done is create success here in the St. Paul's quadrant," she said.

Norfolk is also awaiting news about a $30 million Choice Neighborhoods Initiative Grant for the redevelopment venture. City officials said they expect to hear if they've been awarded the full grant in April, if not sooner. 

Kownack estimated that the first homes will be deconstructed in early 2020. 

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