Office Hours: Monday - Friday 8:30 am thru 4:30 pm
Our Foundation
The Housing Act of 1937 helped form public housing into the industry it is today. Originally designed to serve the surge in families after World War I, particularly the military, the Housing Act of 1937 first gave power to the government to provide public housing, expanding on the PWA and New Deal. This Act is the foundation upon which we as a Local Housing Authority were founded.
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In 1951 the Housing Authority of the City of Vidalia's first Board of Commissioners took their primary oath of office and held their first meeting. After officers were appointed and duties of each were explained, the Authority then began their application to the Public Housing Administration (Now Department of Housing and Urban Development) for the development of two developments. Those developments were completed in July of 1958 and since have helped thousands of needy families. The Authority has now found itself managing 110 public housing units throughout the Vidalia Community. We help serve over 300 low income family members and elderly citizens.
Public Housing Only
No Section 8 Vouchers (HCV)
March 28, 1996
The One Strike Your Out Poilicy was executed by President Bill Clinton. This Executive Order was designed to help Public Housing Authorities eliminate drugs and violence in their developments.
1940
1950
1960
1970
1980
1990
September 1, 1937
Franklin D. Roosevelt signs Wagner-Steagall Housing Act (Housing Act of 1937). This law established United States Housing Authority and encouraged people to buy homes through loans .
June 22, 1944
Franklin D. Roosevelt signs GI Bill into law. This bill gave men and women coming home from World War II benefits including low cost mortgages and lowns for housing..
July 15, 1949
The Housing Act of 1949 was signed into law, resulting in federal financing of slum clearance, increase mortgage insurance, and authorized money to build Public Housing Units across the nation. This helped alleviate housing shortages caused by WWII ending.
October 1951
The Vidalia Housing Authority has first Board of Commissioners Meeting
April 11, 1968
Lyndon B Johnson. signed the Fair Housing Act into law. This law proibited discrimination in sale or rental of housing nationwide. It was written a week after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King ,Jr.
August 22, 1974
The Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 was signed into law and authorized Section 8 housing. This gave vouchers to tenants based on their income to help pay for rent and subsidies were given to private landlords.
July 1958
Vidalia Housing Authority finishes construction of all three developments.
October 6, 1992
The Hope VI Program was implemented to help develop more public housing units. This program's aim was to use mix finance, leveraging private investments to help fund housing. After the demolition of thousands of public housing units, some claim, only half were replaced.
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The very first recipient was Atlanta Housing Authority, Techwood Homes.
October 21, 1998
The Quality Housing and Work Responsibility Act was passed in an effort to reduce the concentration of residents in poverty.
March 24, 1993
The Vidalia Housing Authority Hired Robert Kelley (Bob) to replace Jane Hamilton as Executive Director. Robert Kelley would then serve 17 years and elevate the Housing Authority to "High Performer."
2000
2010
2020
January 22, 2021
Hughes Threlkeld, who served as Chairman for 27 years, passed away. He was an extraordinary leader with a servant's heart. He helped secure over 15 million in funds for the Housing Authority during his tenure.
