What are the roots of the Jesup Housing Authority?
By Mark Watson
(Editor's note: Mark Watson is the executive director of the Jesup Housing Authority. This column is the first in a two-part series.)
When you see the Jesup Housing Authority logo prominently displayed at our apartment complexes and on our vehicles, have you ever wondered exactly what we do for our community?
The public housing program in the United States is over 60 years old. It had its genesis in the efforts of social activists who, before the turn of the century, pushed for slum clearance and safe, decent housing for poverty-stricken and homeless families.
Housing problems originated from the flood of immigrants that swelled populations of cities such as New York. Looking for a new life, immigrants arrived with little more than hope to pave the way. They faced language and cultural barriers and quickly discovered they were unable to pay the market price for decent housing. They moved into the only shelter available--in the slums and ghettos.
Rural housing conditions in areas such as Jesup were not much better. Often entire families slept in one-room, unpainted, sagging shacks, but at least the children could enjoy air and sunlight unknown to their urban counterparts.
Under the U.S. Housing Act of 1937, Congress created the U.S. Housing Authority, and the president appointed its administrator. In addition, under state legislation, local governments were enabled to create local housing authorities. Each local government appointed a board of commissioners who, in turn, directed the housing authority's paid administrative staff. This marked the beginning of local housing authorities.
The Jesup Housing Authority was formed on Oct. 24, 1949, by a group of community leaders. R.T. Littlefield was the first chairman of the Board of Commissioners and was instrumental in the JHA's origin.
The goal of the JHA has remained unchanged over the last 63 years: Strive to create a positive living environment for residents of all ages, where people can live, learn and grow to be productive and responsible citizens. The JHA Board of Commissioners and employees make every effort on a daily basis to make this goal a reality for our 469 residents.
The JHA team currently comprises the following members: Chair Clifford Davis, Vice-Chair Sadie Jackson, Commissioner Claudia Flowers, Commissioner Theresa Lucas, Executive Director Mark Watson, admissions/occupancy coordinator Temeka Bunch-Cobbs, director of resident and employee services Tempie Anderson, administrative assistant Ashley Jarrard, director of maintenance Roger Oglesby, investigator Donnie Ray, maintenance administrator Joy Surrency, assistant maintenance supervisor Ted Thornton, maintenance mechanic Clifford Bryant, modernization mechanic Brian Wilbur and groundskeeper Karen Harper.