A policy that barred gay or unmarried partners from living together in Rome or Rockmart public housing has been eliminated by the Northwest Georgia Public Housing Authority.

The board adopted this week a revised definition of family that includes the words “regardless of actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity, or marital status.”

Executive Director Sandra Hudson said the amendment is the result of a successful court challenge to the U.S. Housing and Urban Development Department in another state.

“We have to follow all HUD policies,” she said. “It means any two people can come and say they want to share a unit. But it’s not going to change anything for us. We haven’t had that issue here.”

NWGHA board members also received updates about several ongoing projects at their monthly meeting.

Consultant Ed Stockton said the 2012 audit report has been submitted to HUD and an overhaul of the accounting department is continuing. While no money was discovered to be missing, the audit revealed misstatements in assets and liabilities and a records retention system in disarray.

“Some of these errors have been in the system from the beginning,” said Stockton, noting that the authority participates in many state and federal programs that have different reporting requirements.

The Northwest Georgia Regional Commission — another quasi-governmental agency that works with various grant programs — is going through a similar financial reorganization following an audit that also turned up holes in its tracking and reporting systems.

Housing Authority members also discussed complaints that have arisen over the planned construction of an educational facility in Rockmart, at 1030 North Piedmont Ave. near Floyd Primary Care.

Member Lillie Dyer expressed concern that a nearby children’s academy is predicting layoffs once the facility opens and there are rumors the city is up in arms.

But Hudson said Rockmart Mayor Steve Miller asked for the center and residents appear pleased. She said there’s some push-back from the competition, since the center would offer programs at $80, which is $20 - $70 cheaper than what’s available now.