Members of the boards governing the Shawano city and county housing authorities have opted not to merge together — at least not now.
Todd Buettner is planning to retire in the next several months as the executive director of the Shawano City Housing Authority, which led some at the Housing Authority of Shawano County to consider a merger of the two organizations.
“We explored it, but we decided we are not going to merge at this time,” said Jeff Theis, executive director for the county housing authority. “It’s something we feel we should do down the road, but it’s a two-plus-year process.”
For his part, Theis is 67 and is also considering retirement within the next couple of years.
“Because it takes a few years to do this, we didn’t think it would be right to merge and then have both current leaders retired,” Theis said.
Buettner, who has been with the city housing authority for 29 years, agreed.
“It’s just not the right time,” he said. “It wouldn’t be right to merge and risk having someone new step in and be overwhelmed. We can always look at it again down the road.”
Now, Buettner will work with his board members to find a replacement for him.
The first inquiry about a possible merger happened in March.
In April, Buettner and two commissioners from the city housing authority met with the county housing authority committee to review initial thoughts from both boards.
The function of both boards is similar — helping low-income residents secure adequate housing.
The Shawano City Housing Authority has been around since 1967.
It offers two programs that are federally funded through the Department of Housing and Urban Development. These programs consist of public housing and Housing Choice Voucher Program.
The public housing program consists of 146 units in the city, including 110 one-bedroom units and two two-bedroom units at Parkside Apartments and Elizabeth Manor. It also has two one-bedroom duplex units, 22 two-bedroom duplex units and 10 three-bedroom duplex units located on Oak Street, Richmond Court, Military Road and Acorn Street.
The city housing program also offers 52 vouchers for the Housing Choice Voucher Program that can be used anywhere in Shawano County.
The Housing Authority of Shawano County has been around since 1972.
It provides apartment and single-family home rentals for low-income individuals, families, disabled and senior citizens in 11 municipalities Shawano County. Income limits apply.
Shawano City Housing Authority can be reached at 715-524-2132 or at Elizabeth Manor, 951 Elizabeth St., Shawano. Applications can be picked up in the foyer at Elizabeth Manor.
The Housing Authority of Shawano County is located at 1259 Engel Drive, Shawano, and can be reached at 715-526-6960.
kpasson@newmedia-wi.com
