Residents clash with El Paso Housing Authority over proposed affordable housing project

EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14/CBS4) — Frustration continues for residents of one west El Paso neighborhood as the Housing Authority of El Paso plans to build an affordable housing complex across their neighborhood.

The Housing Authority of El Paso (HOME) is planning to build an apartment complex on Mesa Hills near Bluff Canyon.

On Wednesday, they held a meeting to answer any questions or concerns from residents in the area.

The meeting was open only to residents who lived within a one-mile radius of the proposed location.

After the meeting, residents voiced their frustrations as many felt like their questions were not answered.

HOME has requested the City Plan Commission to rezone the proposed location from residential use to apartment complex use.

Residents we spoke to in April said they were not notified about the proposed project, adding they were worried about their property value and traffic in the area.

Officials with HOME said they are considering the concerns of residents after Wednesday's meeting.

"There’s no solutions they’re basically just going through the steps and saying well we did the meeting," said Christina Jimenez who lives in the area.

However, some residents said they think the meeting was called to check it off a checklist.

"I could tell we were not going to get anywhere because to them it's a done deal," said Christy Chavarria who lives in the area.

Residents were also frustrated the media was not allowed inside the meeting, expressing they felt the meeting was one-sided.

"We wanted everybody to feel comfortable to express their views and opinions we thought that it might be detrimental to have you in, we wanted people to be open and honest with us and that’s all that was," said Gerald Cichon, the CEO of HOME.

Residents said HOME recorded the meeting, adding they felt it was unfair only HOME was allowed to record.

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