WPCNR The Housing News. By John F. Bailey. May 15, 2006: The White Plains Housing Authority's Administration Offices and Resident Resource Center was opened this morning by an overflow crowd of community officials, concerned citizens, and even a visit by Representative Nita Lowey. Mack Carter, Executive Director of the Housing Authority welcomed the throng, and afterwards confided to WPCNR that new affordable housing projects would be undertaken by the Housing Authority in White Plains in the near future.

White Plains Housing Authority Headquarters this morning. Photo, WPCNR News.

Mayor Joseph Delfino of White Plains, Larry Sallee, Chairmain of the White Plains Housing Authority, and Mack Carter far right, cut the ribbon to launch the facilitiy in the spacious new community room. The facility provides a board room, meeting rooms, classrooms, a computer center for students, and the community room that a Facilities Coordinator, scheduled to be hired, will schedule for tenants of the housing authority and community groups. The Headquarters housing 10 employees of the White Plains Housing Authority.  Photo by WPCNR News.

 "Thank you's" were tendered all around to architects, politicians, the Mayor, city department heads in the opening of the heaquarters which took 2-1/2 years to build, a year late in opening, having been completed by Summit Construction of White Plains after White & Carr the first contractor left the project. Mr. Carter told WPCNR the building came in on budget at $2.4 Million in federal Housing & Urban Development funds, with some minor cost overruns that HUD is paying.

Mayor Joseph Delfino thanked all who had participated in the project that had been in the planning stage for 25 years. He also mentioned that the Lexington Avenue corridor would be the next step in refurbishing the city's West side and he encouraged the residents of the public housing to involve themselves with the city as the Lexington Avenue project is formulated. Representative Nita Lowery addressed the group and spoke on the need for devoting more financial resources for more affordable housing and that constituents should let The White House know that funds should not be cut for housing and services for the less fortunate.

Mack Carter speaking to WPCNR after the ceremony, said that though he was very proud of presiding over the new headquarters construction, that new affordable housing in White Plains was the Authority's next goal. Carter said the Housing Authority had identified areas where new affordable housing could be built, but declined to name the areas, but that more affordable housing was on the Authority agenda.

Staff at White Plains Housing Authority new offices enjoying their new facilities, L To R: Zhana Rodriguez, Jennifer Genovese, Teddie Henderson and Pat Callahan. The entrance is more user friendly, clean, and no longer has that Sing Sing Prison atmosphere. Photo, WPCNR News.

Computer Center features 10 computers donated by the White Plains School District. Mr. Carter told WPCNR the Authority is in the process of hiring a facilities coordinator to arrange tenants', corporations, and community use of the facilities. Carter said the facility would complement the Thomas H. Slater Center (across Fischer Avenue from the new headquarters), and not interfere with their programs in any way. Photo by WPCNR News