By Liz Moomey
liz.moomey@salisburypost.com

SALISBURY — The Housing Advocacy Commission heard updates on the Fair Housing Committee, Code Enforcement and Residential Action Program at Thursday night’s meeting.

Staff liaison Kyle Harris told the commission the latest of the progress of creating a Fair Housing Committee that would update the analysis of impediments and work to improve fair housing in Salisbury. At Tuesday’s city council meeting, the resolution of intent was established. The Fair Housing Committee will have four HAC members, four Human Relations Council members, a Community Development Corporation member and seven at-large members appointed by city council.

“The scope of this committee is much larger than simply updating the analysis of impediments, which is a very important project for them to work on, because the city has to update its AI every five years and we’re coming up on the deadline,” Harris said.

The biggest focus of the committee will be completing the analysis of impediments that has a May 2019 deadline.

Diana Moghrabi, the senior administrative specialist, asked how senior housing would play into this committee. Harris said age discrimination isn’t a part of the Fair Housing Act, but the committee could include age.

“It is broad enough to include things like senior housing,” Harris said.

Chair Barbara Perry said if the committee doesn’t address problems with senior housing the HAC could.

“If they don’t do anything about senior housing, I do think this committee would be interested as to do it, because we have had people coming forward,” she said.

Mike Cotilla, code enforcement coordinator, gave a presentation to update the commission on demolitions and homes that have gotten complaints.

One being 1008 N. Main Street, which has fire damage. The city council approved demolition on the accessory structure. Cotilla explained the owner is working to repair the home and has agreed to put a tarp on the roof where it’s damaged and erect a sign about the repairs.

“People don’t drive by and it’s sitting there and say the city isn’t doing anything about it,” he said. “When you drive by, you’ll see a sign that something is going on.”

He said 10, 11 and 12 Carolina Street will be used as a controlled burn for the fire department and then the land will be used to build Habitat for Humanity homes.

“I’m so glad,” Perry said.

He also spoke about Cone Mill site, which was demolished.

“I just wanted that thing done,” Cotilla said. “Everyone wanted it to be gone.”

Karen Barbee, the Residential Action Program officer, talked about the achievements of the program, saying 411 properties have volunteered to be a part of the program.

“As long as they work with us, then that’s what we’ll do,” Barbee said. “It won’t be the negativity like everyone said.”

Perry said a property manager, who was hesitant, thought RAP was helpful.

“I had a property manager whom I know say that it helped him,” Perry said. “He didn’t think so at the beginning, because he came to one of our meetings. But he said once he got the drift of it, the understanding of it, it has certainly helped him.”

RAP began a year ago.