“We wanted to say thanks”
The words from Elizabethton Housing Development Agency (EHDA) Executive Director Kelly Geagley highlighted a joyful way to cap off the week by employees.
Various local officials were convened at the EHDA’s Pine Ridge Circle location on Friday to take part in a Christmas open house. Attendees were treated to refreshments provided by the department as a way of saying thanks for continual support. The day featured between 150 and 200 individuals stopping by to give their support to the EHDA.
“This is one of the biggest crowds we’ve ever had,” Geagley said. “The weather cooperated. It was cold so we had people that didn’t mind some hot soup. But this is just our way of showing people how much we appreciate them. These are people we work with throughout the year. They’ve been so good to us so we use this as a way to pay it back to them.”
As attendees conversed and took in the day, the open house proved to be a bit of a curtain call of sorts for 2016.
For what’s ahead, public housing is expected to see a change next year, Geagley added.
The U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced last week that a new law has been approved to not allow smoking in public housing. Housing agencies will have 18 months to implement smoke-free policies.
“Our biggest thing is we just received notice that all public smoking will be smoke-free in June,” Geagley said. “You have to have a policy in place so that’s something we’re working on.”
Even with a new addition on tap, the executive director added the EHDA is looking to continue the trend of service for 2017.
“We just want to continue to provide good service, keep our apartments full and make sure our residents are living in a great environment,” he added about the coming year.
Just a few weeks out from the new year, Geagley looked back at 2016 as a successful year. December provided some memorable moments with the local Ghost Riders chapter providing a special Christmas present by contributing over $10,000 worth of items for children.
“It’s been a great year,” Geagley said. “We had our community garden and that’s been one the big highlights. We started partnerships with several other agencies. We hope to continue that for next year.”