Hickory public housing residents worried about future

HICKORY, N.C. — City leaders are condemning a letter handed out to residents of Hickory's public housing.

The agency is under fire and could be disbanded after Channel 9 investigated allegations of mismanagement.

Eyewitness News reporter Dave Faherty got one of the letters that have residents worried about their future.

The mayor said Friday the letter to residents is filled with misinformation.

City leaders denied any knowledge of the letter, as they contemplate doing away with the agency.

Andrew Katocs and his family got a copy of the letter warning residents that if the Hickory Public Housing Authority is abolished their housing expenses will go up.

"People may be homeless,” Katocs said. “That's what concerns us. I mean, times are kind of tough for us and this is where we can afford to live at."

Dominic Adams' family lives in one of the low-income apartments.

When he found out his rent and utilities would increase, he did exactly what the letter instructed and that was to contact civil rights activists Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson.

"I emailed both of them because I feel like they can contribute to what's happening here," Adams said. "They can come and at least put forward some effort to help these people."

Hickory Mayor Rudy Wright said the concerns addressed in the letter aren't true. The city began taking a closer look at the Housing Authority after allegations surfaced that officials sexually harassed tenants, misspent taxpayer money and failed to properly monitor finances. 

"The No. 1 priority is the welfare of the residents," Wright said. "No resident is going to lose their house. No resident is going to see they have to pay market rate."
 
The authority is encouraging residents to attend the Hickory City Council meeting next week.
 
Many of the residents are worried about their future.
 
The mayor said city leaders will discuss the future of public housing at Tuesday's council meeting.

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