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City of Norman will not buy building for affordable housing complex

After the city closed an overnight homeless shelter in June, city council members discussed buying an empty medical building for a new affordable housing development.

City of Norman will not buy building for affordable housing complex

After the city closed an overnight homeless shelter in June, city council members discussed buying an empty medical building for a new affordable housing development.

KOCO’S JASON BURGER WAS THERE AT THE MEETING TONIGHT AND JOINS US LIVE. WHAT WAS THE FINAL DECISION? JASON: FOR NOW, THE CITY OF NORMAN IS NOT BUYING THIS BUILDING. THE COUNCIL WAS LOOKING AT IT AS A SITE OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING HERE IN NORMAN. NORMAN CITY COUNCIL NEEDED FIVE VOTES IN FAVOR OF BUYING THE BUILDING, AND THE COUNCIL DID NOT GET THAT MANY TO GO THROUGH WITH THE DEAL. DURING A PRESENTATION, A CITY ATTORNEY SAID THE COUNCIL WOULD HAVE TO APPROPRIATE $6.4 MILLION OF ARPA FEDERAL FUNDS FOR THE PURCHASE AND REMODEL OF THE BUILDING NEAR WEST ROBINSON AND NORTH BERRY ROAD. THE BUILDING WOULD HAVE ABOUT 40 ROOMS FOR LOW INCOME TENANTS, AND THE NORMAN HOUSING AUTHORITY WOULD PROVIDE RENTAL ASSISTANCE VOUCHERS. SOME LOCALS WERE ALL FOR THE IDEA, WHILE OTHERS THINK MORE DETAILS NEED TO BE WORKED OUT BEFORE THE CITY DECIDES TO BUY IT. >> A MOTHER, WHO HER AND HER SON ARE MEDICALLY DISABLED, THEY CANNOT WORK, AND THEY ARE TERRIFIED. I DON’T WANT TO SEE THIS WOMAN END UP IN A TENT. >> I’M NOT AGAINST THE HOMELESS, I’M AGAINST THOSE WHO CHOOSE NOT TO LIVE BY SOCIETY’S RULES, AND THAT’S A LOT OF WHAT WE HAVE HERE. JASON: THIS
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City of Norman will not buy building for affordable housing complex

After the city closed an overnight homeless shelter in June, city council members discussed buying an empty medical building for a new affordable housing development.

The city of Norman will not be buying a building the council was eyeing as an affordable housing complex.After the city closed an overnight homeless shelter in June, city council members discussed buying an empty medical building for a new affordable housing development.Norman City Council needed five votes in favor of buying the building off West Robinson Street, but the council did not get enough to go through with the deal. During a presentation, a city attorney said the council would have to appropriate $6.4 of ARPA federal funds for the purchase, as well as a remodel of the building.The building would have about 40 rooms for low-income tenants and the Norman Housing Authority would provide rental assistance vouchers.Some locals were all for the idea, while others think more details would need to be worked out before the city decides to buy it.This is not a final decision either. The council could bring up affordable housing again at a later meeting after they meet with the Norman Housing Authority.

The city of Norman will not be buying a building the council was eyeing as an affordable housing complex.

After the city closed an overnight homeless shelter in June, city council members discussed buying an empty medical building for a new affordable housing development.

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Norman City Council needed five votes in favor of buying the building off West Robinson Street, but the council did not get enough to go through with the deal. During a presentation, a city attorney said the council would have to appropriate $6.4 of ARPA federal funds for the purchase, as well as a remodel of the building.

The building would have about 40 rooms for low-income tenants and the Norman Housing Authority would provide rental assistance vouchers.

Some locals were all for the idea, while others think more details would need to be worked out before the city decides to buy it.

This is not a final decision either. The council could bring up affordable housing again at a later meeting after they meet with the Norman Housing Authority.