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Matthews board approves local funding to move forward with two housing acquisitions, appoints Malia James as town manager
Summary
The Matthews Board of Commissioners voted unanimously Dec. 8 to use local affordable‑housing and general‑fund dollars to complete two property purchases while HUD review is pending, dissolved two advisory committees, approved a separate land purchase for access, and appointed Malia James as town manager effective Jan. 1, 2026.
The Matthews Board of Commissioners on Dec. 8 voted unanimously to authorize local funding to complete the town’s purchase of two parcels intended for affordable housing and to move forward on a separate property acquisition to improve access to a town‑owned tract.
The board acted after staff said the town has a $1,000,000 HUD community project grant for the two‑parcel acquisition but that the federal approval process has been delayed. Assistant town manager and town manager–nominee Malia James told the board the town completed an extended environmental review with no defects but that HUD review could take “up to another 6 months” and that the town retains the ability to submit other projects and may still be reimbursed by HUD if the grant is ultimately approved.
“We have completed the environmental review, and that has come back with no defects,” James said. “We still have access to those funds.”
Commissioner Ken McCool moved to appropriate funds for the purchases, citing $962,593 available in the…
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