HRS Closing Applications Due To Long Waiting Lists

Highlands Residential Services has closed applications for all of its housing developments due to long waiting lists.

Director of Operations Chris Cassetty said a combination of low apartment turnover and available inventory has caused the issue.

“One waiting list might only have 40 or 50 people on it, but if you are only turning over 10 to 15 units a year that’s going to take you three or four years,” Cassetty said. “We also don’t think it is fair for somebody to put an application in and say it would take four or five years before getting an apartment.”

Cassetty said closing waiting lists is not uncommon for the housing authority. Cassetty said the same thing happened about three years ago. As for the duration, Cassetty said it all depends on the turnover of each location.

Cassetty said the organization reopened applications for smaller developments such as Celina or Gainesboro just six months ago. Cassetty said those waiting lists have grown to the point of closing once again.

Cassetty said the long waiting lists emphasizes the need for more affordable housing across the Upper Cumberland.