Oak Ridge Today

Oak Ridge Housing Authority proposes home project in Scarboro

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The Oak Ridge Housing Authority is interested an affordable housing project on about 16-18 acres of city-owned land next to the Scarboro Community Center. The site is pictured above on Sunday, April 16, 2023. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

The Oak Ridge Housing Authority is interested in an affordable housing project on about 16-18 acres of city-owned land next to the Scarboro Community Center. The site was expected to be developed by Habitat for Humanity more than a decade ago, but that project did not proceed for reasons that aren’t clear.

The project could help as it becomes more difficult for many people to find a place to live, either because they can’t find a home that is available or because of rising home prices and rental rates.

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THDA grant will help with down payment assistance in Oak Ridge

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Pictured above in front row are, left to right, Oak Ridge City Manager Mark Watson, Oak Ridge Housing Authority Commissioner Tom Beehan, Tennessee Lt. Gov. Randy McNally, U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann, state Rep. John Ragan, ORHA Executive Director Maria Catron, and Tennessee Housing Development Agency Industry and Government Affairs Liaison Katie Moore; and back row, left to right, ORHA Commissioner Jim Palmer, ORHA Board Chair Jean Lantrip, and ORHA Board Secretary Sharon Crane. (Photo courtesy THDA)

The Tennessee Housing Development Agency has awarded a $106,000 HOME Program grant to the Oak Ridge Housing Authority that will be used to help low-income families purchase a new home.

The Oak Ridge Housing Authority will use the funding to provide assistance up to $14,999 to cover down payment and closing costs for eligible first-time home buyers living in the city limits, a press release said.

“A down payment is often the biggest hurdle to overcome for working families wanting to buy a home,” THDA Executive Director Ralph M. Perrey said. “These funds will allow first-time home buyers who would otherwise be able to afford a mortgage payment to overcome that obstacle.”

ORHA Executive Director Maria Catron said the grant will be used to help low-to-moderate income families, with the exact amount awarded based on the gap needed to cover the buyer’s down payment and closing costs.

[Read more…]

Housing Authority dedicates administration building in honor of James A. Carson

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A resident of Oak Ridge, James A. Carson served the Oak Ridge Housing Authority as its executive director for 33 years. Carson retired from OHRA in December 2016. On Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2017, the ORHA Board of Commissioners honored his many years of service through the dedication of the Administration building. (Submitted photo)

A resident of Oak Ridge, James A. Carson served the Oak Ridge Housing Authority as its executive director for 33 years. Carson retired from OHRA in December 2016. On Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2017, the ORHA Board of Commissioners honored his many years of service through the dedication of the Administration building. (Submitted photo)

 

A resident of Oak Ridge, James A. Carson served the Oak Ridge Housing Authority as its executive director for 33 years.

“He consistently showed a great respect for diversity, and in all things pursued fair policies and actions,” a press release said. “He worked tirelessly to make ORHA sustainable, and faithfully served the low-income and economically disadvantaged in our community.”

Carson retired from OHRA in December 2016. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge Housing Authority director retiring after 33 years

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Jim Carson

Jim Carson

Jim Carson, executive director of the Oak Ridge Housing Authority, is retiring after 33 years.

Carson, an Oak Ridge resident, announced his intent to retire on December 31 at the September 26 ORHA board meeting, a press release said. Carson has been ORHA executive director for 33 years.

ORHA has an operating budget of about $1 million, and it has about nine employees, the press release said. It manages 128 public housing units on sites scattered around the city, and it currently issues roughly 230 Housing Choice Vouchers and 35 Veterans Assisted Supportive Housing vouchers. [Read more…]

TORCH: Proud of community support for Applewood residents, but still work to do

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Applewood Apartments Hunter Circle Aug 8 2016 1

As of Friday, September 23, there were still 11 households that might not have a place to live when Applewood Apartments closes on September 30, according to an organization that helps homeless families in Anderson County. Pictured above is an Applewood Apartments building on Hunter Circle on Monday, Aug. 8, 2016. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

As of Friday, September 23, there were still 11 households that might not have a place to live when Applewood Apartments closes on September 30, according to an organization that helps homeless families in Anderson County.

The closure of the 13-building apartment complex on Hillside Road and Hunter Circle in the Highland View neighborhood was announced in early August.

Andy O’Quinn of Trinity Out-Reach Center of Hope, or TORCH, which is based in Oak Ridge, said he is “extremely proud” of the way the community and its organizations have worked together to help Applewood residents, but there is still work to do.

“At the moment, we are looking for landlords that would be willing to rent by the month to a few people that who receive a disability check and will be getting into income-based housing but need a place to go in the meantime,” O’Quinn said in a Friday status report. “We are also seeking two- and three-bedroom rentals below $550. for our working families. If you think you might have a unit to rent, please e-mail Andy O’Quinn at [email protected].” [Read more…]

Public housing inspections lead to four evictions for criminal, drug activity

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Annual inspections of 127 public housing apartments this month led to four evictions for criminal and drug-related activities, the Oak Ridge Housing Authority announced Thursday.

Three of the evictions resulted in charges against a family member, a ORHA press release said. No one was charged in the fourth case due to the nature of the offense.

“However, in accordance with our policies, the offense will result in the family losing their housing assistance with ORHA,” the press release said. It did not give more information.

[Read more…]