Council hears from two residents nominated to Harrisburg Housing Authority board

Two Harrisburg residents seeking seats on the Harrisburg Housing Authority board introduced themselves at a City Council work session and answered questions about priorities for public housing.

The council heard brief remarks from Yvonne Marie Jackson, who said she has lived in Harrisburg all her life and works for Highmark Blue Shield. “I would like to be a member to help our seniors in our building,” Jackson said, identifying herself as a resident of Jackson Towers and noting a lack of an evacuation plan there.

Laura Corey Robinson, who said she has lived in Harrisburg for 56 years and retired from DDSP logistics in 2021, told council members she wants to improve living conditions in low-income housing and make it easier for residents to raise maintenance concerns. “I want to do everything I can… to give back to my community,” Robinson said.

Council members asked the nominees about specific objectives and conflicts of interest. Councilwoman Davis (Building and Housing Committee chair) pressed Jackson on the evacuation plan at Jackson Towers; Jackson said the issue had been raised previously with the prior CEO and remained unresolved. Councilman Jones asked about conflicts of interest for Jackson, who said she currently serves as treasurer on the Jackson Towers resident board; City Solicitor Grover advised that any legal conflicts or necessary recusals should be evaluated by the authority’s solicitor.

Solicitor Grover reminded the council of the governing statutory framework, saying that “the housing authorities law as amended provides for a five‑member board made up of residents of the city who shall serve staggered five‑year terms.” He noted existing board members and explained how the new appointments will fit the staggered schedule; the meeting record states that the appointees’ terms will expire on specified June 30 dates (Robinson’s term to end June 30, 2030; Jackson’s to end in 2028 as read into the record).

Council members expressed support for both nominees’ stated focus on maintenance and accountability. Councilwoman Ross told the nominees their lived experience in affordable housing would be valuable. Councilman Rodriguez asked each nominee to name a single objective they would pursue; Jackson said her priority is to “get the city to listen” and address building maintenance and seniors’ needs, while Robinson said her main goal is that “everybody has affordable housing that they can afford” and that buildings be kept up to code.

President Hill moved to add Resolutions 34 of 02/2025 (appointing Yvonne Marie Jackson) and 35 of 02/2025 (appointing Laura Robinson) to the council’s next legislative session agenda for a formal vote. The matter was referred to that agenda for formal consideration; the transcript does not record a final appointment vote.

The council did not take a final vote during the work session. The solicitor provided procedural guidance on conflicts and term lengths; nominees said they had no disqualifying conflicts and expressed willingness to recuse if advised.

Votes at a glance: Resolutions 34 and 35 were moved for placement on the next legislative session agenda for formal consideration; no final council vote was recorded during the work session.

Supporting documents and next steps: The nominations will appear on the next legislative agenda for formal action and any determinations about conflict of interest or recusal will be handled per the authority’s solicitor and applicable law.