Editorials

At its most basic level, helping those less fortunate is a simple example of how communities can improve lives. In that sense, Calhoun County is no different — a community comprised of different burgs and towns, whose low-income residents need our assistance.

A proposal announced last week could provide some relief. More than $500,000 in grant money could arrive annually in Calhoun County, where local governments could use it for low-cost housing. It's part of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's HOME Program, a potential win-win for everyone involved. Homes could be built or renovated for first-time buyers, apartments could be rented, and land could be bought for new construction.

There's a catch. It takes teamwork.

Anniston's population of about 23,000 isn't large enough to qualify for the HUD grant money. So the city wants to form a consortium with many other Calhoun County cities and communities — including Alexandria, Blue Mountain, Bynum, Hobson City, Jacksonville, Ohatchee, Saks, Weaver and West End-Cobb Town — to qualify for the money, up to $580,000 annually.

The money would be divided between the local areas based on their populations.

Now, back to that catch.

The Anniston City Council has authorized City Manager George Monk and Clarence Williams, the city's Community Development Block Grant administrator, to approach local city councils and the Calhoun County Commission with the idea. Negotiations may heat up at February meetings.

What's unfortunate is that already there seems to be an inkling of opposition. County Commissioner J.D. Hess told The Star he'd "be open-minded to look at the plan," but that he didn't believe Alexandria residents or those in rural areas of the county would be receptive to "apartment-type HUD housing." Let's hope such dismissive thoughts do not derail an enticing possibility to better the lives of residents who need assistance.

For what it's worth, Williams has told The Star that he does not anticipate difficulty in forming the needed consortium.

Of course, Williams' optimism seems couched in the belief that the leaders of our county's different towns and areas will understand the bigger picture — that we must help each other, that in this instance what's good for one area helps the county as a whole.

It will be fascinating to see how Williams' and Monk's team-building efforts unfold, to see from which area(s) resistance may come. This project takes collaboration; Anniston can't do this on its own. What occurs in the following weeks may say a great deal about how committed Calhoun Countians are to helping our neighbors in need, regardless of where they live.