The Picayune Housing Authority had its ribbon cutting ceremony Monday for six new units located at 111 Elmwood Street.
The new units include one fully equipped handicapped accessible one-bedroom apartment, and a two-bedroom hearing-impaired apartment.
Construction on these units began in late September and were completed by last week.
Toni Watts, executive director of the Housing Authority, said the waiting list for these six new units include 82 people. Four of the units have already been leased and the last two will soon follow, Watts said.
“There is a great need for decent, affordable housing for low income families,” Watts said.
The Housing Authority is actively looking for resources to build more units, and is currently trying to purchase property on Dale Street, Watts said.
The Picayune Housing Authority has a working preference, so they give first preference to working families, Watts said.
Mary E. Davis, Chairmen of the Housing Authority Board of Commissioners, held the position of executive director of the Housing Authority until she retired in March 2012. It was her vision to build these six units, so in January 2014 when the city asked her to come back and be the interim executive director until they found a replacement, Davis was ecstatic.
“I am just delighted, I spent 60 years out here,” Davis said.
Davis said there used to be a park where the six new apartments now stand that was not being utilized.
“We were so short on one and two bedroom units, we owned the land and we had the monies available,” Davis said.
The total development cost for the project was $754,000. Watts said the city was able to build the units debt free through the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Watts has big plans for the Housing Authority moving forward.
“We want to develop more units, and create a safe environment,” Watts said. “We are currently seeking funding to increase security in our current units, and in the future we would like to install playground equipment for the kids.”