NORFOLK, Va. — In anticipation of the demolition and eventual rebuild of several public housing complexes near Downtown Norfolk, city leaders are addressing common misconceptions they're hearing about how residents will be affected by the relocation and redevelopment of the St. Paul's area.
Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority executive director John Kownack said he knows some residents may feel anxious ahead of the move, especially 187 families in Tidewater Gardens who could be asked to move as early as this summer. So Kownack said it's NRHA's responsibility to make sure residents know how the process will work.
First, Kownack said it is not true that housing choice vouchers are only valid within a 25-mile radius of the St. Paul's quadrant. That radius only applies to building replacements for the NRHA.
"The truth is your voucher is available anywhere in the country that accepts vouchers," Kownack said.
Next, U.S. Housing and Urban Development will issue a 120-day notice informing residents that they should find somewhere else to live. However, this summer would be the earliest time that notice would arrive for residents in phase one of the Tidewater Gardens relocation. All other residents in the St. Paul's area have more time.
Plus, Kownack said no resident will be forced out without having another place to live already lined up.
"We don't consider the 120 days as locked in stone, and we won't move anyone until there's something available," he said.
No notices have been sent out yet and no resident has received a tenant protected voucher
Families have a choice to take a tenant protected housing voucher or move into a different public housing complex, and the city is offering services to help plan for this transition.
On Friday, Norfolk opened three 'People First' offices in Tidewater Gardens to advise residents about the upcoming move.
"We just want residents to relax, come see us, find out exactly how the process works and we'll be happy to help you,' Barbara Hamm Lee, St. Paul's Revitalization spokeswoman, said.
In the past week, Barbara Hamm Lee said more than 50 people visited city workers in the People First office to prepare for the transition.
"Anytime there's change, there's a lot of anxiety," she said. "People First tries to alleviate some of that anxiety - no one is getting kicked out tomorrow."
Kownack said there has been additional confusion between two different types of vouchers available to residents in Tidewater Gardens - tenant protected vouchers and what he calls 'regular' housing choice vouchers.
Tenant protected vouchers refer to vouchers that will be available to residents as they are relocated during the St. Paul's revitalization efforts. 'Regular' vouchers refer to the typical voucher system and a waiting list that is not associated with the redevelopment effort.
He said some Tidewater Gardens residents have received 'regular' vouchers in the past year, causing other residents to think tenant protected vouchers were starting to be distributed. Kownack said the two vouchers are unrelated, but he understands the confusion.
Hamm Lee recommends the People First services to help residents understand the complicated process.
"It is completely voluntary but we strongly encourage our residents to get involved and take advantage of the services," she said.
The three People First offices in Tidewater Gardens are located at 447, 453 and 461 Walke Street and are open from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m Monday through Friday.
Hamm Lee said soon the days of service will extend to Saturday and the hours will extend to accommodate working families.
Tidewater Gardens residents can also call the People First hotline to ask questions: 757-314-2000. The St. Paul's Area Facebook page is another resource for residents.
