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This story is one in a continuing series covering the crisis in public housing in Columbia. <\/em><\/span><\/p>\n Organizational changes are imminent for the Columbia Housing Authority in the wake of two deaths, multiple\u00a0lawsuits \u00a0and the displacement of 241 families from an aged public housing complex Allen Benedict Court last month.<\/p>\n Since the carbon monoxide leak that killed two people at\u00a0Allen Benedict Court displaced residents living there, the housing authority has started shifting the way their organization functions. It\u00a0will be adding new positions and hiring a new executive director.<\/span><\/p>\n Cynthia Hardy began her employment at the housing authority last week as the new spokeswoman for the agency, hired to handle the onslaught of reporter inquiries related to the deaths and the closure of the 1940s-era property.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWhen they called and asked if I could be of assistance and if I could, I wanted to help,\u201d she said. <\/span><\/p>\n The situation driving the CHA\u2019s changes is the crisis that ensued at Allen Benedict Court when the bodies of Calvin Witherspoon Jr., 61, and Derrick Caldwell Roper, 30, were discovered Jan. 17 in separate apartments in Building 19.\u00a0Emergency officials discovered high levels of deadly gases throughout some of the buildings.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n According to the most recent numbers available, 118 of the 241 Allen Benedict families have identified a place to move into and have already moved in or are waiting to finalize their move in. Of the\u00a0123 who still remain in hotels, 72 are planning to use vouchers around the city and 50 are waiting for another public housing unit to open. <\/span><\/p>\n Housing vouchers given to residents will allow them to receive partial federal funding and choose where they live as long as vouchers are accepted.<\/span><\/p>\n Because many of these families have chosen to find homes with vouchers, there is potential that the residents of Allen Benedict Court could end up paying more than they were when they lived there, although Hardy says they are trying hard to make sure this doesn\u2019t happen.<\/span><\/p>\n The CHA is at an important\u00a0transition point, and everyone there, Hardy said, is working hard to fix the damage done. <\/span><\/p>\n \u201cIt feels like crisis mode. People are coming in early and working late,\u201d said Hardy, \u201cI see a lot of desire for people to say to the general public, we\u2019re better than that. We recognize that we fell short… We want to work to earn the respect of people because we are better than that.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n The CHA’s board of directors is working on putting together a transition plan. Part of this plan will include the departure of Executive Director Gilbert Walker, who announced he will retire in June, filling new positions, and reorganization of the board that oversees the agency.\u00a0Four additional board members will be added to the current three that remain. <\/span><\/p>\n These people will be selected by the Columbia city council on March 5. There have already been more than two dozen applicants. <\/span><\/p>\n This transition will likely include two new positions, one for quality control, and one for health and safety. Hardy believes this will only make the organization stronger. <\/span><\/p>\n