After receiving less than a handful of applications to serve on the newly formed affordable housing ad-hoc committee, the city of Wilmington is extending the deadline until the end of the month.
According to Mayor Pro-Tem Margaret Haynes, who heads the appointments committee, just three people had applied as of Feb. 1. The original deadline was at the end of January.
The city council created the committee last month in an effort to be more proactive about addressing the lack of decent housing available to people of all income levels in region. The idea is the direct result of the mayor’s roundtable on affordable housing, which was hosted last fall and featured a panel that consisted of many community leaders, from politicians and educators to bankers and developers.
It was formed with the intention of being run as a partnership with New Hanover County, but according to the county they are still reviewing some details of the project.
“County staff has reviewed the proposal and the Board of Commissioners is aware of the request,” said county spokeswoman Ruth Smith. “Discussions are ongoing on a specific portion of the proposal.”
The county board will have to take action on the request. It is not likely to make the agenda for the next meeting, the last one to be held before the city’s new deadline is up.
The city is looking for people in the fields of banking, real estate, development, education, non-profits and the community who have some knowledge or experience with the subject. Those interested can fill out an application online or download one to fill out here.
Applications will now be accepted until Feb. 29.
