Housing commission strategizes on housing and economic development
The Plumas County Community Development Commission is continuing its efforts to develop housing and economic opportunities in the county. The commission met Feb. 13 and discussed the challenges the county faces in terms of housing and victories within the program.
Resignation
The board will be a commission member short after the resignation of Addie Openshaw. Openshaw, a Quincy resident, will be leaving for upstate New York, leaving an open position on the commission.
“It will be difficult to replace Addie,” said Commission Executive Director Roger Diefendorf.
Housing Update
One of the purposes of the commission is operating public housing throughout the county. The commission oversees five public housing facilities: Green Meadows in Greenville; Wildwood Village for the disabled and seniors, Pine Meadows and Sierra Meadows in Chester; and Valley Heights in Quincy.
Diefendorf reported that public housing was in the red financially and that there are vacancies in the housing units. Some of the units need repairs including one that caught fire last spring at Green Meadows.
Despite the issues entailed in running the public housing, the Plumas County Community Development Commission was recently awarded a High Performer Certificate of Recognition by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for effective administration of housing assistance.
“That is a big deal. Housing is a complicated thing to keep track of,” said District 4 Supervisor Lori Simpson. “There are a lot of regulations.”
Economic Plan
Another of the commission’s tasks is developing strategies for community development. At the commission’s previous meeting Jan. 16, the commission heard from Kristen York, the vice president of Business Innovation the Sierra Business Council. York presented the board with a possible community development strategy for Plumas County.
However, the commission discussed that topic at its most recent meeting and expressed hesitation in pursuing York’s suggestions. The county has established an economic development strategy already in the general plan.
“Why reinvent the wheel when we already have a strategy,” said District 5 Supervisor Jeff Engel.
The commission will continue to discuss the topic at later meetings.
