Williamsburg Housing Authority Executive Director Mary Thornton announced at the most recent regular board meeting that a $15,000 grant has been awarded through Save the Children that will fund the installation of a community vegetable garden near the outdoor shelter off of Mackey Avenue.
Thornton expressed great excitement to the board over procuring the funds necessary to make the community garden a reality. She said that she hopes to construct the garden in such a way that it will be enclosed, although that could incur some additional cost. Should that be the case, she assured that money exists within the budget to cover all necessary expenses related to the project.
Thornton also informed the board that one of the four units that were taken offline earlier this year due to a fire has now re-opened and is once again occupied. She said that the other three units were also close to going back online.
Thornton said that the housing authority is operating at full capacity with their online units, and when a unit does go offline, efforts are ongoing to update and modernize the unit before renting it back out. She commented that certain units in the Cumberland Avenue location were recently re-opened after receiving a complete overhaul.
Finally, Thornton reported that several dates have been scheduled for special events at the housing authority’s newly remodeled community room. She wished to inform the public that the space is available for rent to anyone, not just housing authority residents, for the price of $100. A $50 deposit is required, and more information can be found out by calling the housing authority office at (606) 549-0282.
