The Galveston Housing Authority will demolish two public housing developments and renovate two others, board members decided Wednesday. All four public housing developments have been closed since Hurricane Ike hit Sept. 13.

Galveston After Ike - Two public housing complexes to be demolished

GALVESTON -- The Galveston Housing Authority will demolish two public housing developments and renovate two others, board members decided Wednesday.

Board members agreed to tear down Oleander Homes, 5228 Broadway, and Palm Terrace, 4400 Sealy St., but it’s not yet clear what kind of housing will replace those developments. It will take at least two years to replace that public housing, said Harish Krishnarao, executive director.

The board also agreed to renovate hurricane-damaged apartments at Cedar Terrace, 2914 Ball St., and Magnolia Homes, 1601 The Strand, in an effort to bring displaced public housing residents home as quickly as possible, Krishnarao said.

All four public housing developments have been closed since Hurricane Ike hit Sept. 13.....

...Of the 7,000 Galveston County families who qualify for the Disaster Housing Assistance Program, only 1,800 or 26 percent, have found places to live, Krishnarao said.

Though Krishnarao said he had planned to poll public housing tenants before the board made a decision about the future of the developments, several residents said they weren’t called. Krishnarao said some residents, but not all, been contacted.

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