People in Fayetteville’s Murchison Road neighborhood are bracing themselves for some major changes. City officials are asking for nearly 30 million dollars from HUD to reconstruct low-income housing there.
More than 200 people living in the Murchison Townhouses and the Elliott Circle units are expected to have their homes completely rebuilt because of the city’s plan to revitalize the Murchison neighborhood. The city says its strategy is through improving housing, attracting businesses and boosting overall quality of life.
“What I really hear is that it’s going to be a mixed community now and that what I see in Elliot Circle is that it’s kind of been stuck. So, it will grow and it will become more versatile for anyone…” says resident Joyce Steven.
Shronda Hodges says she also supports the project but acknowledges how this might feel disorienting for the elderly, about a third of the people being impacted.
“Uprooting them from their homes and putting into something different could be challenging for them,” Hodges said.