Mom shares concerns over living conditions at Dogwood Terrace

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Neighbors within the Dogwood Terrace Residences are talking to us with complaints about gunfire and dwelling situations.

It’s set to be demolished subsequent summer time as some neighbors get moved to a brand new location, the previous Cherry Tree Crossing Residences.

It’s only one neighborhood concerned with Augusta’s housing voucher program. With Augusta’s housing market anticipated to growth in 2023, it drives up competitors for the Housing Authority to get their palms on property to accommodate households in want.

“I’ve woken up out of my sleep from bullet pictures hitting my home windows. Me and my youngsters will continuously be in shootouts simply sitting out on our porch,” mentioned one mother.

She desires to remain nameless to guard her household. She has lived at Dogwood Terrace for nearly 5 years and says it’s lower than preferrred.

“Typically I’ve water that’s leaking from the ceiling out of nowhere. I’ve like 4 doorways which have been torn down for like two years. I referred to as upkeep to come back put it up,” she mentioned.

A brand new mission for voucher and Part 8 neighbors, Walton Inexperienced, is about to begin having obtainable housing in July.

Douglas Freeman, Augusta Housing Authority, mentioned, “Relying on what they qualify for and what’s obtainable on the time it’s their flip to relocate, it’s attainable a few of them could possibly be over there,” he mentioned. “What we will say for certain is we may have a spot for everyone”.

Entering into the voucher program is one thing else, with a ready checklist within the 1000’s.

“Usually, when the housing market is scorching, when there’s a number of demand and never sufficient provide, that makes it harder for our voucher holders to discover a place,” he mentioned.

The hope is to begin relocating Dogwood this summer time, but it surely’s a matter of ready.

The mother mentioned: “It’s additionally traumatizing my youngsters as a result of they’re turning out to be very dangerous, and earlier than I moved right here they had been superior youngsters however now it’s simply… they’re operating away.”

To fight the aggressive housing market, they’ve been working so as to add extra of the lease vouchers this system presents to property house owners. In 2022, their success price of being accepted rose to simply over 50%.

Copyright 2023 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.