Greensburg, IN—Last evening, the Board of the Greensburg Housing Authority held an emergency meeting to decide on the fate of the program in the City of Greensburg.
Several people that participate in the program came to voice their concerns if the program was to be moved to the Indianapolis office. Most of those who spoke voiced that is the program was to be moved, they would have difficulty finding transportation to make renewal appointments at the Indianapolis office. One said that she doesn’t drive at all and it would be impossible. The participants varied from a single mother of 2 that was able to escape an abusive relationship and take care of her children, to a recovering addict, an older adult with disabilities.
The Board discussed Monday’s City Council meeting and wanted to make clear that the information that was presented at that meeting on the ability to transfer the program to Human Services Inc. (HSI) Office in Greensburg was not only incorrect but also might have cost them the possibility of a major funding source that was outside of the City Government.
Director of GHA, Milissa Ashley, stated that in a phone conference with the Indianapolis office, it was stated that if the Board voted for the program to be transferred, it would then be moved to the Indianapolis office. As explained, GHA is a Federal program run through the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Human Services is a contracted service ran through a state program, Indiana Housing and Community Development Association that is contracted by HUD. So there would be at least three major steps taken before it could even possibly be transferred to HIS.
Before voting on the options available, the Board member Kevin Whipple asked the Mayor for the City’s support of the program and recognition that the information presented was misinformed. Mayor Josh Marsh stated that he would offer his support of the program and would allow them to stay in City Hall and would offer the organization help on their utilities to save money over the next year. Mayor Marsh stated that they could revisit the possibility of utility support in 2021.
The group has been able to fundraise a total of $15,360 in the last three weeks to pay towards the total debt of $27,279. This debt was misappropriated over 15 years ago. It was said that it was “embezzled” by a Councilman during Monday’s meeting. The GHA Board made it clear that this was also misinformation. Ashley explained that the money was used in the wrong fund when distributed in the early 2000s. Ashley explained that GHA was given an option to have a 3 to 5 year repayment period if her Board voted to continue the program due to the impression GHA has had with fundraising and community support.
The Board had three options to vote to do nothing and ignore the warnings from HUD, transfer the program to Indianapolis, or take the 3-year option presented by HUD officials to pay down the debt with the possibility of being a 5-year plan. A motion was made by Whipple and seconded by Diana Robbins to remain in the GHA office and accept the 3 to 5-year option to pay down the debt. The motion passed 8-0.
GHA will still be continuing to accept donations to help pay down the debt. If you would like to help, contact Milissa Ashley at 812.593.6389.
