The Ponderosa Apartments got the property water meter removed on Monday, when they were short in paying their utility bill by $7,000. Known as former councilman’s ‘Coronado Project’ the non-profit housing community is a second chance for homeless people to have a second chance. The property manager, Kassey Sexton said the funds fell short for the utilities this month, but that councilwoman Sheila Patterson Harris was their saving grace.
“The city has given us 10 days to work and see what we can get paid and see what we can come up with and get the bill paid as we need to.” said Sexton.
Sheila Patterson Harris was elected as the district 2 councilwoman back in June, and is working alongside the project with the city to try to see how the residents can be taken care of. Patterson grew up in a house around the corner of the complex, but said it doesn’t matter where she grew up because there is a larger issue here.
“It’s just a situation because you’re human, that you get concerned about folks when they find themselves for whatever reason in a situation that is not good or healthy,” said Patterson. “You get hugely concerned, so that’s where I’m at right now.. I’m concerned.”
Some residents have been trying to keep a positive mindset in the midst of a chaotic situation. They have been coming together to brainstorm ways that enough money can be accumulated within the next week, even a bucket has been passed around through the homes. Lisa Sandoval said that ‘complaining won’t get you anywhere, so she decided to start a baking fundraiser.
“We all had a bunch of cake mixes, eggs, we went around to our neighbors as well, and we just started baking,” said Sandoval. “People love their sweeties, cinnamon rolls, cupcakes, we started thinking more as we were baking.”
