The Housing Authority of the City of Asheville (HACA) has announced a reduction in force impacting its workforce due to a projected budget shortfall. The layoffs are part of several organizational changes aimed at addressing the financial challenges. The changes include restructuring roles and consolidating certain functions across multiple departments.
What happened
The Asheville Housing Authority announced on April 7 a "reduction in force" to address a projected $500,000 budget shortfall for its current fiscal year. The restructuring includes transitioning away from its involvement in the Positive Opportunities Develop Success (PODS) afterschool and summer programming.
How many employees affected
The layoffs affect 34 employees, representing 21% of HACA's workforce. This will reduce the total number of employees from 156 to 122. 22 of the impacted positions are tied to the PODS program.
Why layoffs happened
The layoffs are a response to a projected $500,000 budget shortfall. The decision to transition away from the PODS program was due to the program not being part of HACA’s core housing mission and requiring significant financial support to sustain, with approximately $500,000 in annual operating costs and no identified long-term funding source.
Company background
The Housing Authority of the City of Asheville has an annual operating budget of about $55 million. It provides housing services to residents of Asheville. The PODS program was created in 2020 to support marginalized children whose education was affected by COVID and evolved into an afterschool and summer enrichment program.
Industry impact
The reduction in force highlights the financial challenges faced by housing authorities. The discontinuation of the PODS program may impact the families and children who rely on it for afterschool and summer enrichment.
What's next
HACA is working with community partners to find other options for residents affected by the changes to the PODS program. The authority aims to ensure a smooth transition for families to other available programs and resources. Programming is continuing as HACA works with partners to transition services, with the goal of avoiding gaps for families.
Source: citizen-times.com