Resident alleges contractor licensing problems in Hickory affordable housing program

Keisha Collins used the Nov. 18 public-comment period to press the City of Hickory for accountability over an affordable housing program she says failed. Collins, who provided a residential address for the record, accused the city of contracting with an unlicensed builder and said she had been repeatedly "silenced" when seeking staff and council action.

"I just simply want some kind of accountability from the city of Hickory," Collins said. She alleged the contractor "wasn't licensed when y'all contracted with him to sell the homes" and asserted that the city is continuing to allow sales despite what she described as breach of contract.

Collins said she attempted to follow city procedures and sought help from council members and staff, but she said responses redirected her to particular staffers and did not resolve the issue. The mayor and council did not provide a detailed public reply during her three-minute comment; the transcript records the allegation but not an immediate staff correction or factual response.

The claim raises contract-compliance and procurement questions that are not resolved in the meeting transcript. City staff were not recorded addressing the specific licensing allegation during the public-comment period; follow-up with the city's housing staff, procurement records and the contractor's licensing status would be required to substantiate or refute Collins's assertions.