AUTHORITY DELAYS ACTION ON PUBLIC HOUSING BAN POLICY

ASHEVILLE - Asheville Housing Authority officials Tuesday postponed
adoption of a controversial public housing ban policy, saying their
attorney hasn't had time to study the proposal.

Board members now will consider the policy - which also was tabled last
month - on Sept. 17.

The agency since 1995 has banned more than 1,100 people from its 14
properties and administrative offices, despite having no approved, written
procedure.

"The irony is that all the people on that list can't even come to this
meeting because they're banned from the property," said Althea Goode, a
former resident of public housing. "I think they should at least be able to
come here and make a comment."

The 30-day public comment period on the draft of the new policy ended July
12. But Executive Director David Jones said he's gotten several supportive
phone calls on the issue, especially from people concerned about drug use
in public housing. The ban records show that most individuals were barred
for drug-related activity.

"People have called me saying they agree with the position we're taking,"
he said. "(Drugs) have no business being in our communities."

The authority also participates in the federal Public Housing Drug
Elimination Program, in which 40 Asheville police officers work off-duty
patrols in the developments.

Some Asheville public housing residents who came to Tuesday's meeting think
the authority's ban procedures are too strict.

Individuals can be barred for a minimum of three years without being
charged with or convicted of a crime. Scores of people have been expelled
for driving through stop signs, speeding, or breaking the noise ordinance.
Residents and non-residents can be banned, although residents would be
evicted first.

Only one person, Deputy Director Michael Godwin, has the power to ban
people, take appeals and lift bans.

"You don't have to be that hard on people," said Lynette Maybin, who's
lived in Hillcrest Apartments for 11 years. "The farther you drag people
down, the worse they feel about their life, and they become depressed,
commit more crimes and use more drugs."

Maybin wanted to discuss several issues with authority officials Tuesday.
When she tried to attend the agency's pre-meeting work session, board
member Cleatus Tate said the proceedings were closed to the public.

The meeting was, however, an open session, and was attended by a
Citizen-Times reporter who witnessed the incident.

"It was an open meeting," authority attorney Patsy Meldrum said. "But it
all happened so quickly and she closed the door so fast, I didn't get to
say anything. But she did stay for the regular meeting and she got her
questions answered."

"They had no right to keep me out," Maybin said afterward. "But this is how
they treat people."

City leaders have no direct oversight of the authority or its $7.2 million
budget. But the mayor has the sole power to appoint all five of its board
members.

Hillcrest resident Anita Love also was at Tuesday's meeting. Love said
she's concerned about the ban policy's possible effect on children. "Some
people who get banned do have small children, and then they end up on the
street."

Authority board member Carol Goins, a criminal law attorney, said the
agency had been very willing to help her banned clients in the past.

"I have negotiated with Mr. Godwin many times, so that (my clients) could
come onto the property and see their children. So I know that there are
efforts toward redress."