By Mary Walker

I value public service and the amount of time elected officials spend on issues that affect the community.

The Salisbury City Council face a multitude of decisions they must make and actions they must take to carry out their service to the community and stand true to their oath of office.

Likewise, those of us who attend city council meetings in the people’s house and take part in public comment are investing our time as supporters of our community. We are concerned citizens who feel compelled to speak out on issues affecting our neighbors, who often are unable to speak up for themselves.

By voicing the concerns of those suffering from the injustices caused by low wealth, we are lifting them up.

As a city, are we committed to providing quality, affordable housing opportunities to low and middle income families and individuals free from discrimination? Central to the overriding vision of an affordably housed nation is the goal of removing obstacles that impede anyone from accessing the affordable housing of their choice.

The troubling report from the Fair Housing Project with Legal Aid N.C. in December resulted in a “resolution of intent” by the Salisbury City Council to appoint a Fair Housing Committee. That committee would be made up of four members of the Human Relations Council, four members of the Housing Advocacy Commission, the CDC program director and seven at-large members of the community.

To quote the city of Salisbury’s web site, “These at- large members should have a demonstrated interest or experience related to fair housing. It is the intent of the city council that the committee be representative of the community and that it maintains a fair and balanced diversity of perspectives.”

I took that description to mean the committee should include people impacted by the lack of fair-housing practices.

At the city council meeting on Tuesday, it was announced that this committee is now being selected after an almost three-month delay. I want to thank Councilwoman Tamara Sheffield for proposing three people. I look forward to learning who the four remaining members will be.

It was encouraging to hear that community members will soon be at work in partnership with Human Relations Council and Housing Advocacy Commission.

An extension has been granted to the city during which changes or additions might be submitted to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for the 2019 Analysis of Impediments, some of which have not been corrected since the 2014 analysis was done.

If we are committed to addressing the needs of members of community who struggle most to make ends meet, there is much work to be done.

By delaying addressing this important Analysis of Impediments for the last several years, some of our most vulnerable and, sometimes, helpless neighbors have suffered because they have been subjected to unfair housing practices.

The work by the city of Salisbury to improve our neighborhoods is ongoing.

By partnering with one another and by listening to those impacted because they are judged by their race, color, religion, sex, familial status, national origin or disability, we will steer a true course to eliminating these injustices — all highlighted among the 2014 Analysis of Impediments.

Mary Walker lives in Salisbury and runs Across the Pond Bed and Breakfast with her husband, Andrew.