Sarasota Housing Authority Resident's Association

Task Force Notes - Jan 2007

2007-02-01T23:14:00.000-05:00

Present: Valerie, Jackie Diaz, Nancy, Karen, Arthur, Chrystal, Jude, Colby, Pat, Dick, Marion & Marty Goldberg, Susan Slocum, Susan Hallock, Dawn

Meeting called to order by Valerie Buchand. Invocation, greetings and best wishes for the New Year!

Bill Russell provided this report on Redevelopment:

"Michaels has begun work on assessing where to begin a Phase 1 of the redevelopment. A decision on where to begin will occur very soon now. They are also assessing relocation needs for our current families and bedroom size needs as well. They are beginning to engage some contractors to begin pre-development work on things like environmental assessments of the sites, rezoning, architect and site plan preparation, civil engineering work, etc. We are aiming to submit an application for Low Income Housing Tax Credits (a federal program run by the State) this April. Michaels will give a good briefing on things at the resident meeting on January 25th."

Three Michaels representatives walked the sites with Valerie, noticing grand trees to be saved, water and sewer lines noting the distances to schools, pharmacies, grocery stores, and other necessary amenities which need to be within a mile of the public housing projects.

Karen Curry wasn't present to give a report on the Ross Center. Habitat has provided a mobile
classroom to teach locals drywalling and electrical. Paying $10/hr. They will receive a certificate. How to get word out about this opportunity for residents?

Valerie & Bill Russell will be meeting with Chanel Riley, social worker for Janie Poe, to receive a progress report from her. Jewish Family has given her a grant. Her case load is limited to 25 families; there are 126 families in Janie Poe. It is possible that Janie Poe will be the first area to be demolished and redeveloped - 60 units at a time. There have been several electrical fires lately which have put some units out of commission.

Janie Poe Holiday Party report given. It was a great success with many hands. 200 children received food, stickers, gifts. Pictures shared. Dick Clapp asked for a list of the contributors for his housing blog. Party pictures can also be seen on the housing blog.

Trip to Belmont Heights (Tampa) organized by Nancy Richardson. Michaels Co. is building the mixed income project in Tampa now. Michaels has hired residents and the Tampa Housing
Authority has mandated resident meetings (which Valerie would like instituted here in Sarasota). Ms. Williams as the resident president has been involved in the whole process, included in every meeting with the developer.

Group going Tuesday, Jan 23, leaving First Presbyterian at 10 am (Oak & Washington Blvd).
Contact Nancy for further information: 362-2045. Dick, will put the Belmont Heights site on the
housing blog.

Jackie Diaz recently had a meeting with residents to share information about redevelopment. She said that there have been a number of evictions lately. Valerie has a resident meeting for Janie Poe planned for 1/11.

Arthur gave the Treasurer's Report. He is currently keeping the books for the Task Force fund and the Janie Poe Residents fund. HUD payments to the residents fund is given to the resident organizations quarterly. Valerie has found a resident to become the treasurer. Arthur will gladly train her.

The Task Force funds have $450, some funds left over from the Holiday Party were added to the account. Jude asked for approval to use funds to provide gas & tolls money to public housing residents in Tampa who will be attending the Resident Meeting on the 25th and to copy invites and agenda. All agreed.

The Public Housing Resident Meeting has been moved to Thursday, January 25 at 6:30 pm at the Boys and Girls Club on 21st Street. Invitations will be taken to all 388 households on Monday, Jan 22. Those who wish to help will meet at the Janie Poe Community Center at 10 am. We hope to pair a resident with a Task Force member as we go around the four neighborhoods. Childcare and bites for the children will be provided in separate classrooms. A front row panel will be introduced by Nina Burwell, our moderator. Those who will speak are Bill Russell on vouchers, Gionne Jourdan of Michaels Co, about redevelopment plans and resident services for relocation. Mrs. Williams, president of the Belmont Hts resident
group, will speak about her experiences. Opening and closing by the Rev. McKenzie, State Director for Rainbow Push Coalition.

After opening presentations, the floor will be available for questions from residents and community. Answers will be provided by resource folks.

Important topics will be addressed: Difference between Section 8 Choice Voucher and a
Relocation Voucher, can residents be relocated on campus, how does one qualify to return to
public housing or tax supported rentals, how to apply for a low income home with a voucher, residents responsibilities in finding new housing, resident services to be provided by Michaels, etc. What standards must current public housing residents meet to receive vouchers? Will residents in rehab programs be protected by their recpveromg status so they, too, can receive vouchers. Then there will be brief wrap ups by the three presenters. We are hoping for an hour long meeting packed with information. The questions and answers will be processed and a paper will be given to all of the residents during the wk following the meeting (we hope). Susan Hallock, Jim Craig & Jude will be working on this. If you would like to help us, call Jude 365-2314. The invites are titled "Hope in Your Heart" following Colby's idea that buried hope is there and we need to tap into it. The residents have an opportunity to create new directions for their lives...

We hope that residents, Task Force members, community members, City & County officials will attend this important first relocation & redevelopment meeting about the future of Newtown since the signing of the documents between HUD and Michaels Co in December.

No cameras, but press will be there. We hope to sign up some residents to continue to be involved in the redevelopment. Residents want tangible results from this meeting. Speakers: please talk in plain English.

Dick hopes to get out the word that the state Neighborhood Conference will be held in Sarasota this yr.

Let's look for resident leaders to encourage to go. Scholarships are available. Three days
in June, held at the Hyatt.

The next Leadership Academy provided by the City of Sarasota starts in February. It is an eight wk course to educate citizens about how the City works. Jackie and Valerie are encouraged to send their officers.

Judi Hooker and Bill Lewis, past member of the Task Force, send their love & support!

Task Force Goals for 2007:

Educating residents
Helping resident associations become stronger & more vital
Press package

Submitted by Jude Levy

Public Housing Task Force Report

2006-12-26T17:00:00.000-05:00

Sarasota Public Housing Task Force Meeting
Held Tuesday, December 12, 2006, 9 am at
the Newtown Redevelopment Office on MLK

Fifteen Task Force members present. Guest: Dr. Lawrence Miller, Economic Development Coordinatorfor the City.

Update on Public Housing. No reports from public housing officials as none were present. Task Force member asked why Hope VI is mentioned in the contract? The apartment sizes for the new development are being worked out.

The Case Manager of Janie Poe residents, Chanel Irvine, was invited to attend the meeting & give a report. She is seeing families in Janie Poe. We don't know the numbers, etc. She did not attend the meeting.

Nancy Richardson reported the plans for the Task Force to make a trip to Tampa to look at Belmont Heights (mixed income housing being built by Michaels). Arrangements are being made. (Subsequently, a date has been set for Tuesday, January 23.) Contact Nancy for more information: 362-2045

[Dick Clapp is arranging for a church van & Jim Craig has agreed to drive.]

Jean and Susan Slocum reported on the plans for the Janie Poe Holiday Party on Saturday, Dec 16, 4-6 pm. Colby Hill, pastor of Central Church of Crist, made a surprise announcement that his church would contribute 400 wrapped gifts for the children. Sarasota Christian Church partnered to help with gift giving. Food for 250 will be provided by contributions from Whole Foods, Publix and private individuals. Invitations will be delivered to each household the Monday before th eparty. Nancy, Valerie, Geneva, Karen & Susan volunteered to do this. Invitations were also available in Spanish for those households who speak Spanish. Pat Liebert helped us find a translator.

Bill Russell has offered to put in speed bumps on Janie Poe Drive (considering a serious bike accident this past Saturday - youngster on a scooter speeding) the sooner the better. Thank you, Bill.

Jude Levy announced the meeting being planned for residents. It will be held in the Boys & Girls Club on 21st Street, Wednesday, January 17, 6:30 to 8 pm. Nina Burwell will be the moderator. Rather than having a panel, we will invite key players who can respond to residents' questions. The focus will be on the residents. Their involvement in the redevelopment will be crucial. A handout, simply and directly written, will be provided that gives the residents solid ideas so they can plan their futures, people to call to learn more, etc. Jim Craig is helping with this handout.

It is crucial that we understand the definitions of permanent and temporary, regular and relocationvouchers, when & where they can used, etc. so that information can be relayed to the residents. How will we assure a right of return and other crucial matters. The residents must be alerted not to sign anything until they understand their options. Jackie and Valerie, please do what you can to relay that important caution. Chrystal Flores (JP resident) offered to help hand out the meeting notice to residents.

Janie Poe Holiday Party

Children were lined up at 4 pm. They got stickers as they poured into the community room. Karen asked for ages so the gifts could be planned for in the back room.

The majority of children were in the 5 to 10 year old range. A few teens, some Moms & Dads, even new babies joined the party. A dozen Task Force members were present - helping and enjoying the event. Four members of the League of Women Voters helped us, too!

Bill Russell and his daughter came to enjoy the happy occasion. A DJ kept things lively. Decorations were put up (Kelly Kirschner came to pitch in!). Balloons were put around to create a festive atmosphere. Tables were decorated wiith greens (thank you, Dawn). Food was planned, picked up and put out by Susan Slocum and her husband, Eric Jensen. They created the magic that pulled the event together.

The grapes, watermelon, chicken nuggets, nuts and candy canes were enjoyed. The children were completely delightful. Geneva May provided 200 homemade bright red & green frosted cupcakes! Nancy gave us elf hats, decorated, poured juice. Thank you!

Susan had contacted Booker Middle School and they sent 3 dancers who provided some dance routines and then invited the children to twirl with them. Dick Clapp moderated and kept events rolling. Valerie and Jean were the stage managers so all fell into place.

Kudos to Colby, Susan, Pat, the church members and the League of Women Voters volunteers who choreographed the distribution of gifts. Susan Sherman wrapped gift boxes for us. All the gifts, all the food, all the balloons went home with happy kids.

Dawn arranged for a new book give away as they left. Books were left over from the Reading Festival. Almost a 1,000 books ended up in the Janie Poe homes. Gratitude to Mrs. Richardson Kling and Liz Nolan for sorting and distibuting books in every age range & bringing them to the Community Center as the children left.

Thanks to all who contributed time, gifts, support in any fashion.

The Task Force representing the larger community had a shining day! The youngsters in Janie Poe as well as their parents know we care.

Jude & Dick took pictures, which will be passed around at the January Task Force Meeting.

Thanks again!!

Party Time

2006-12-26T10:25:00.000-05:00

The Public Housing Task Force hosted a Christmas party for about 100 kids from the Sarasota Housing Authority. We had sandwiches, chicken nuggets, chips, punch, fruit and candy. Red and green cupcakes made for a sweet dessert.

A DJ provided a variety of Holiday music.

Dancers from Booker Middle School presented two ballet interpretations from the Nutcracker, then engaged the kids is a jazzy dance version of Jingle Bells.

Of course presents the order of the day for all the kids.

Bill Russell, Executive Director of the Housing authority, and his new daughter stopped by to join in the festivities.

Kids heading for the food!Bill and his daughter

The D.J. Kids dancing to Jazzy Jingle Bells...

Good food with a smile.
Getting stickers on the way in.

Food.... More food!

And more food. And more food!

Public Housing Moves Forward

2006-12-04T15:43:00.000-05:00

This week the Sarasota Housing Authority will sign an agreement with a developer to start the redevelopment process of Sarasota's public housing - a process that has been started numerous times but never got off the ground. Maybe this time will be different.

In yesterday's SHT a series of articles describes the history, the current proposal and the hope and fears of the community:

SARASOTA -- For years, Newtown -- the historically black, low-income
neighborhood north of downtown -- has been a subject of wishful talk and failed
attempts to kick off urban renewal.

On Thursday afternoon, a deal will be struck that could change all that.
If the plan works, Newtown will experience a revival that alters its physical, social and economic landscape so dramatically that it could also change the character of the city that has so long neglected it.
Wrecking balls will make rubble out of four of the city's five housing projects. Those 388 families, like it or not, will be given rental vouchers to relocate elsewhere. And developers will erect market-quality apartments and condos.

Two-thirds of those homes will be set aside for low- to moderate-income families. The remainder are to be rented or sold to middle-class newcomers who would otherwise spurn that part of town.

Dale White has done an excellent job chronicling this story since the latest management team - Carmen Valenti and Bill Russell - have been on board. In addition to the above mentioned article thaer is an article on the developers plan and another about a similar project in Tampa done by the same developer, Michaels Development Co.

Redevelopment Agreement

2006-11-30T11:19:00.000-05:00

An agreement with the developer for the proposed re-development of the Sarasota Public Housing site has been reached. See the following from Bill Russell.

I am pleased to say that we have reached an agreement with Michaels on all outstanding items and Carmen will hold a special board meeting on Thursday, December 7, 2006 at 4pm at the McCown Towers Board Room to officially approve of HACS entering into a Master Developer Agreement with Michaels.

William Russell
Executive Director
Housing Authority of the City of Sarasota

Public Housing Community Carnival

2006-07-29T21:51:00.000-04:00

Friday, June 30, 2006

It was overcast and a few drops of rain fell, but the open lawns behind the Boys and Girls Club were filled with youngsters from public housing!

I counted about 100. Many mothers were near by. Many teens from the churches helped with the games.

The children, from 3 to 13, were having playful designs painted on their faces, eating cotton candy and popcorn, jumping on the blow up jungle gyms, playing basketball, listening to Christian rock music - live on stage, and best of all, more times than not hitting the lever that dunked a game and grinning Bill Russell in his swimshorts into the raised tank. What a good sport!

Three churches Lakewood Ranch Presbyterian, Faith Church and Bethesda Outreach along with the Boys and Girls Club hosted this successful community carnival. I didn't see any Task Force members, but the ABC cameraman was leaving as I arrived so maybe there will be some coverage on the evening news.

The churches and youngsters cleaned up the grounds of the Boys and Girls Club earlier in the week and one of the minister's told me the youngsters enjoyed helping in the task.

I hope I got some good pictures of the celebration to share. My heart swells when these contained children look into my camera and smile, letting out their radiance.

Thanks to Karen, Bill and all those who made this a success!

Bill Russell, Executive Director of the Housing Authority, sits on the "hot seat".

Predictably, he gets "cooled off" with a big splash!

[Thanks to Jude Levy of the Public Housing Task Force for writing this story, and to Karen Curry, Housing Authority, for contributiong the pictures.]

HA Board Meeting of July 19

2006-07-27T16:00:00.000-04:00

Housing Authority of the City of Sarasota
Board of Commissioners
Regular Board Meeting, July 19

The HIPPE program has been asked to move out of Janie Poe community center.

A pre-school for public housing youngsters will be put in its place. This to serve more residents.

Three & four year old children will be provided activites. One year contract signed. If it goes well, program will be renewed on an annual basis. Will start in January, serving 20 to 46 children.

Karen Curry is writing grants for new services. Consulting with residents and resident leaders was requested. Karen will be meeting with Valerie Buchand and Jackie Diaz soon.

A Ross Training Center will be located in the JP community center. They will provide assessment, employment & employment support to help towards self sufficiency and in some cases, home ownership.

Ross will provide a broad spectrum of programs including ESL, adult literarcy, GED, job training and interview skills. Ross will be bringing employers on site. Karen is developing a partnership with Sarasota Memorial Hospital, Coit Architects, Olsted Staffing, and Washington Mutual. The bank will help residents repair poor credit records, set up bank accounts. A daycare facility is planned. Home Depot and Dooley Mack have offered help with structural changes, supplies and manpower to make space usable.

Karen will be meeting with SCAT hoping to amend routes to better serve residents. Karen is working to hire a driver and a vehicle to serve resident needs.

Geneva Mays says she remembers growing up with HIPPE, they provided needed services to children in public housing, made home visits. What about children who cannot get to their new location on MLK?

She remembers residents providing lawn service, lawnmowers were given to them to pitch in. Carmen Valenti reminded her this was a new day - no longer push lawnmowers & lawsuits.

HA exploring contracting with outside companies to provide landscaping maintenance.

Contract signed to paint interiors of 50 Bertha Mitchell units. Community Foundation grant to Jewish Family Service to provide a full time case worker for public housing families in Janie Poe. She will start July 24. One resident suggested contacting Friendship Services about providing a social worker for the seniors.

HA cracking down on illegal parking with towing services. No trespassing City signs pulled down. Still, the police are enforcing the no trespassing ordinance.

Occupancy has gone from 99.3% to 100%. Turn around time prepping units is now 10 days. Record time. 579 work orders were handled in 1.5 days per w/o. Rent collections 100% in June.

Congratulations to Housing Authority and residents. Tomorrow contractor will start painting McCown Towers as well as resurfacing and restriping the parking lot. 17 units in the Courts need handrails and that will be taken care of. For those residents living on the south side of 21st Street, a 6 ft. chainlink fence will be put up to stop drivers cutting through on the grass.

Under New Business: Bill Russell, Exec Director, brought up the survey of area rents to provide new guidelines for those tenants who pay a flat rent. Most residents pay 30% of their gross income on housing, but a few (32) choose to pay a flat rent. The incentive to them was the possibility to make more income from time to time and not have to have to declare income on a monthly basis. The HA felt the flat rents were too low and hadn't been adjusted for some time. Of course, public housing units don't have central air, aren't insulated, don't offer many amenities, so rates were adjusted downward taking this into account. One bedroom elderly units will go up to $500 a mo, one bedroom in family public housing will go up to $400, 2 br to $500, 3 br to $600, 4 br to $700 and 5 br to $750. All residents can opt for the 30% formula.

This new policy will go out on August 1st for resident comments. 31 days to respond.

When redevelopment arrives in the next year to year one-half, residents need to be prepared for moving out into the community. This is why we are bringing in these resident services, Carmen Valenti, HUD Receiver, commented. There's a tremendous need for education, for amongst adults only 50% have a high school degree.

Years ago, HUD thought it would be a good match to put seniors and young disabled families together. It hasn't worked, noted Bill Russell. Now the HA will focus on seniors only buildings in time, through attrition, McCown Towers will be seniors only. Also a security guard is needed at McCown Towers more than just on weekends. Apparently homeless citizens are coming in.

Mary Anne Servian asked that this situation be documented. Since the HA cannot afford a full time guard, Russell will ask Sarasota Police for more patrolling. A new CRT police person will be located in Rosemary. Russell thanked Servian for the hiring. There's also a full time gang officer on the streets. Police have put a substation in a house on the corner of 21st & Dixie.

submitted by
Jude Levy

Housing Redevelopment in Miami

2006-07-27T15:27:00.000-04:00

There is an interesting story in the Miami Herald concerning the Miami Housing Authority and development. It begins:

Housing agency is an ATM for developers

In the nation's least affordable city, the Miami-Dade Housing Agency lost millions to developers who built nothing, stranding the poor in decrepit and unsafe homes

The story chronicles a housing redevelopment process that has gone wrong.

It is well worth reading.

Notes From Public Housing Task Force Meeting of July 18

2006-07-26T23:46:00.000-04:00

Notes supplied by Jude Levy:

The RFP to selected developers has been sent out. Those who choose to apply will have to have their proposals in by 8/31. Those finalists will be reviewed by the committee; some in person interviews may be scheduled. The finalist will be selected by October 31.

Jean Slocum gave a report on the League of Women Voters Forum on the future of public housing.

A social worker has been selected and will be located in Janie Poe soon.

Valerie's church, Bethel CME, has decided to become involved in a pilot literacy project in Janie Poe. The national program is called "Tots 'N' Teens". Adults will be included, too. Ms. Geneva Mays is helping educate the children in public housing, too. It was suggested that the Literacy Council be contacted to bring programs on site.

Jackie Diaz gave an update on Bertha Mitchell, the Courts & Orange Avenue. She reported less drug dealing in the neighborhood. Carmen Valenti had met with the Sarasota City police about the problems. Thirteen people have been picked up recently going for drugs on the edges of public housing at 21st, 22nd & Dixie. These events don't seem to be reported in the papers noted Valenti. The City put up No Trespassing signs which have been torn down.

A roving tow truck will be coming around evenings and weekends for illegally parked cars.

Jackie Green introduced three women in the Parents Support Group and they all reported their positive experiences in the group. Jackie reported that one mother is learning to read. Mentors help with resources. She's hoping to grow the group from 10 to 20. It is important that the mothers learn how to present themselves, how to come up with solutions. Some topics they wish to cover are self sufficiency, dealing with conflicts. Various speakers will be invited to the meetings. Parents are looking for tutoring services for their children.

The parents meet every Tuesday from 10 am to noon at the SHARO office in Janie Poe. The UU Church has been generous providing mentors, FPL certificates, funds for the residents fund.

Karen Curry will bring the Public Housing Newsletters when it's published to share with the Task Force.

Phone service to the resident office has been turned off for months yet the bill keeps growing. Bill Russell and Jon Preiksat will look at the issue and try to get service severed. Perhaps new phone service could be put under the Housing Authority and the cost taken out of the resident allotments given to the Housing Authority by HUD.

Carmen Valenti mentioned an article about HUD funding cutbacks. I shall send this article separately.

Rent Hikes at Sarasota's Public Housing

2006-07-26T23:32:00.000-04:00

Article published Jul 24, 2006 in the Sarasota Herald Tribune

Rent hikes

The Sarasota Housing Authority is considering raising the "flat rents" it charges tenants who prefer not to have their rents based on their incomes.

1 bedroom: From $294 to $400
1 bedroom (McCown Towers): From $294 to $500
2 bedrooms: From $313 to $500
3 bedrooms: From $344 to $600
4 bedrooms: From $375 to $700
5 bedrooms: From $383 to $750

Sarasota public housing rents may rise By DALE WHITE

SARASOTA -- Thirty-two of the 482 households in cityhousing projects could be in for a substantial rent hike, nearly 60 percent inmost cases.
The tenants have the option of switching to a different method forcalculating their rents, which could soften the blow.
Even so, the proposed jumpin monthly expenses comes as a"shock" for Housing Authority residents who paywhat are called "flat rents," said Valerie Buchand, a tenant advocate who paysthat way herself.

Read the full article at the SHT website.

Community Carnival

2006-06-27T22:45:00.000-04:00

You're invited to a Community Carnival in Newtown, this Friday, June 30 from 5 to 8 pm, sponsored by Lakewood Ranch Presbyterian, Faith Church and Bethesda Outreach along with the Boys and Girls Club.

The event will be held at the Boys and Girls Club at 1790 21st Street.

There will be free food, live music, lots of games for the kids and a DUNK TANK!

Bill Russell, Executive Director of the Sarasota Housing Authority, is actually going to be a great sport and get in—that should be funny! It would be great if some Task Force members and other members of the community could be there for a while.

If not, I’ll have plenty of pictures in the upcoming newsletter.

Karen M. Curry,
Director of Resident Opportunities & Self SufficiencyHousing Authority of the City of Sarasota
kcurry@sarasotahousing.org
(941)361-6208

Parent Support Group

2006-06-18T20:35:00.000-04:00

[At left is Jackie Green - group leader for Parent Support Group]

SARASOTA HOUSING AUTHORITY PUBLIC HOUSING RESIDENT COUNCIL ASSOCIATION, INC PARENT SUPPORT GROUP

Mission Statement:
The parent support group provides support andempowerment to public housing parents who seek self-sufficiency in theareas of parenting, home management, employment, education and training, and community involvement.

Goals:
1. To provide a resident-driven context based on trusting relationships wherein parents will be motivated to explore new life goals;
2. To further the knowledge base of parents in effective child-rearing practices;
3. To increase the knowledge base of parents regarding community resources related to child care, home budgeting, and opportunities for employment, education and training, and community involvement.

Objectives:
1. To remove barriers to parent participation by assisting parents with transportation and child care;
2. To provide group leadership that facilitates the development of group norms that promote trust wherein honest communication can occur;
3. To schedule presentations by community resources in areas defined by group members (e.g. budgeting practices; utility billing practices; adaptive ways to deal with conflict at home and in job settings, etc.);
4. To develop a resource directory in the areas of affordable child care, low cost children’s clothing, low cost furniture, insurance and health providers, and opportunities for employment, education and training and community involvement;
5. To facilitate the relationship between public housing residents who are group members and designated community mentors who will support, motivate, and enhance knowledge areas defined by the residents.

Group Design and Group Leadership:
The parent support group meets for two hours weekly at the Janie Poe Residents Association or at a location agreed upon by group members. The group leaders are Marion Goldberg, Ph.D. and Ms. Jackie Green, public housing resident.

As the professional leader, Dr. Goldberg is responsible for the following tasks:
1) Creates the self-sufficiency curriculum;
2) Co-leads the group with Ms. Jackie Green when available;
3) Provides weekly consultation to the paraprofessional group leader.

The paraprofessional group leader, Ms. Jackie Green, is a public housing resident who is responsible for the following tasks:
1) Receives weekly consultation from Dr. Goldberg;
2) Creates a monthly schedule for self-sufficiency curriculum topics and speakers;
3) Liaisons with mentors recommended by the Public Housing Task Force who are assigned to designated public housing residents in the parent support group;
4) Facilitates the creation of a resource directory by assigning tasks to committees within the group;
5) Assigns responsibility for child care, refreshments, and transportation assistance;
6) Leads or co-leads group discussions wherein open, honest, supportive communication occurs;
7) Maintains attendance records and documentation of community service records.

Consultant Provides Detail in Response to June 13 Posting

2006-06-17T15:26:00.000-04:00

Working with Residents:
Working with residents in planning the redevelopment is discussed in Sections C.1. Scope of Services and C.2 Lead Developer’s Role:

Under C.1. it says: It is expected that the Lead Developer and his/her planning and design team members will work with HACS, residents and other interested parties to develop site plans through an open planning process with participation by residents, neighbors and other interested stakeholders.

Under C.2. it says: The Lead Developer will be required to work in partnership with HACS, current residents and other neighborhood and local organizations to design and implement each Redevelopment Plan and under the list of services the developer is to provide the RFP says Collaborate with HACS and the residents to implement a general management structure for the development that includes a long term role for the residents. The developer is required to ensure resident involvement throughout the planning and implementation of the project, and Develop and implement a M/WBE and a Section 3 program in conjunction with life skills training, contracting and apprenticeship for resident ownership and participation in the development process.

Under Section D.4, Content of RFP Response, Respondents have to provide Public Housing Resident Participation, Minority and Public Housing Resident Equity/Contracting Participation, and relocation plans. All of these requirements are factored into the scoring of the RFP responses as discussed under Section E.2

Providing Social Services :
Included in the list of services to be provided by the developer under C.2 is Work with HACS to fund and coordinate on-going community and supportive services for public housing residents at the redeveloped sites.

Section D.4 requires a Community and Supportive Services Plan that requires Respondents to Describe proposed Community and Supportive Services Plan for current residents of HACS Newton developments. Provide specific examples of similar work undertaken by the Respondent’s team at other developments. This plan is part of the scoring criteria in Section D.4.

Also, at the 6/12 meeting with the RFQ/RFP Evaluation Committee, we discussed with Valerie adding language to the description of the Section D.4 Relocation Plan to be provide in the responses regarding an MOA with residents. We’ll include such language in the next draft circulated to the committee.

Number of PH units :
Bonus points are to be awarded for the inclusion of more PH units in Respondents’ proposals (see Sections B.1, B.3 and E.2.) At the 6/12 meeting we discussed adding a 10 point sliding scale for bonus points for proposals that provide for more PH units. That language will be added to the next draft.

Ultimately, the number of PH units will be determined by the maximum number that is financially feasible within the context of good design. The Advisory Committee that approved the conceptual site plans decided that a total of 852 units in 2 and 3 story buildings was the optimum number of units that could be developed. Additional units would require taller buildings and greater density, which the Committee, which received input from the community, did not feel was in the best interests of the public housing residents or the surrounding community nor financially feasible.

The mix of public housing, non-public housing affordable and market rate units to be built on the site is a function of both policy and financially feasibility (especially as no federal funding is available for these sites and state funding is very competitive). The conceptual site planning effort sought to maximize affordability while proposing a financially feasible unit mix based on conservative financing, market and land use assumptions. The number of units and mix of units proposed by RFP Respondents may vary from the conceptual site plans based on what the developers think is financially feasible and good design. Scoring of the RFP responses, as discussed in Section E.2., is to be based primarily on financial feasibility, the number of affordable units (with bonus points for PH units), and quality of site planning and design.

Building Heights, Storm Water Retention, Community/Open Space:
Taller, elevatored buildings are more expensive to build due to a variety of building code, construction material and design issues, and that additional cost does affect financial feasibility. In addition, the Advisory Committee, did not think it good policy, good planning or financially feasible to include mixed income family units in mid-rise buildings on these sites, so the conceptual site plans incorporated elevator buildings only for Senior units. (In addition, the Committee also felt that it would be more difficult to obtain County and City financial support and site plan approvals to build mid-rise family buildings.)

More land may be available for development if developers find they do not need to set aside as large a portion of the site for water retention as we have conservatively estimated to be the case. As stated in Section B.1 of the RFP, The portion of each Development Site set aside for surface storm water retention was an estimate. Respondents may propose the amount of land for surface storm water retention, or alternative water retention systems, as they deem to be appropriate and in accordance with Southwest Florida Water Management District regulations for storm water management.

The conceptual site plans included community space at each site within each site’s management and leasing building (the next draft of the RFP will be clearer on what was incorporated in the conceptual). Any land designated for community facilities and open space comes at the expense of residential units. The Advisory Committee decided on the balance of community space/open space and residential units shown in the conceptual plans with the goal of maximizing the number of units. The RFP Respondents may propose additional community space and open in their plans based on marketing/financing and planning considerations, and those proposals will be evaluated based on the RFP’s scoring criteria.

[Submitted by Brian Heegar, consultant to HASC]

Carmen Valenti Comments on Recent Post

2006-06-16T19:55:00.000-04:00

The following comments are offered in response to the June 13, 2006 posting. [Submitted by Carmen Valenti, HUD Receiver for SHA].

Having read the posting we felt that certain comments presented were either inaccurate or misleading. In addition to the comments below I would like to add that at the Newtown meeting referred to in this posting a number of neighboring residents did raise concerns relative to the height issue. Furthermore, the "local developers" comment that elevators are not expensive may be a relative comment, our research has indicated that elevators would add a cost of approximately $150,000 per cab. On the issue of water retention vaulting, we have publically said on numerous occasions that water retention vaulting was being considered but it would be a very costly option and would greatly increase the estimated funding gap. More than likely to achieve our intended affordability goal this cost would need to be borne entirely with public funds. The comment that,"in general the RFP does not mention residents and the developers responsibility to them," is totally inaccurate. Concerning the number of public housing units it has always been the position of the HA to try to achieve the greatest number of public housing units as possible within land and financing constraints, and have expressed a willingness to consider increased density. In closing I would like to add that all of the evaluation criteria utilized in the RFQ/RFP were established by the seven member committee, and not unilaterally by the HA.

Comments Needed for Redevelopment RFP

2006-06-13T16:49:00.000-04:00

Alert!

Valerie Buchand received last Friday the draft RFP (Request for proposal) which will be sent to the five candidates for the developer of the mixed income public housing properties. The Sarasota Housing Authority wants to send out this RFP this Friday. The committee of seven (which includes two public housing residents - one is Valerie Buchand) met Monday to discuss the proposal. Valerie was advised she had until tomorrow, Wed, June 14, to submit any comments.

A finalized document would be made available to her Thursday.

In general, the RFP does not mention residents and the developer's responsibilities towards the residents.

Social services need to be in place for them before the first shoveful of dirt is turned. Right of return policy and a Memorandum of Agreement with the residents needs to be included. There is no mention of community centers & parks in the new mixed income communities.

But, first and foremost, the Public Housing Task Force wants 388 family public housing rental units to return.

If senior units (efficiencies) are necessary, then add those on to the number of family units. The RFP currently states that there would be a total of 282 units which would combine family and elder units. On the current Housing Authority waiting lists there are some 300 head of households (translates into over 1,000 people) and only about 30 seniors. McCown Towers is currently devoted to elders and handicapped individuals/all efficiencies.

We would like to the see the developer encouraged to design for more public housing units. At the Newtown Community meeting, residents indicated they would be fine with more height and more density. 20 units per acre would not be unreasonable. Janie Poe has 10 units per acre presently and there is space to spare. A local leading developer, who looked over the plans sketched out by the consultant, said that elevators are not that expensive and water storage can easily be retained in underground vaults to provide more building space.

When Valerie receives the final version, we will send out a press release from the Task Force if most of these concerns are not addressed.

Call Valerie at 544-3262 for an electronic version of the RFP and/or to make any comments for her submittal.

Time is of the essence.

Thank you!

Jude Levy

May Housing Board Meeting

2006-06-01T17:12:00.000-04:00

The SHA monthly board meeting was held on May 31.

Pictured are Bill Russell (Executive Director), Carmen Valenti (HUD Receiver and Board), and Jackie Diaz (new resident liason).

There was a discussion of the "admissions and continual occupancy policy" concerning how late rent payment and eviction. The new policy says that the first three late payments will result in notification of policy violation that could result in eviction. The fourth late payment will require a stipulation be signed to avoid immediate eviction. The stipulation states that the resident agrees to eviction if there is a subsequent late rent payment.

Valerie Buchand commented that clarification of the language was needed to prevent misunderstanding. The board agreed.

The community service policy was discussed - this is a requirement of HUD - that able bodied residents that are head of household and not employed must work 8 hours per month at a documented community service project.

Valerie Buchand presented the background and information about the established Parents Support Group. It was agreed that as long as documentation of attendance and time was recorded, this would meet the community service requirement.

The decision by the selection committee to select 5 developers from the submitted 10, as the best qualified, was announced. Dale White's article in the Herald Tribune covers this selection. The next step will be submission of development proposals by these 5 companies.

Also, in the crime report it was noted that drugs continue to be the major issue faced by the Housing Authority. They continue to work closely with the police but cleaning up this criminal activity is a tough task. The section of Dixie between 21st and 24th was noted as being the area of 4 evictions soon after the HA's "one strike policy" for drug activity was established. Recently 2 more warrants were served by the police and subsequent HA evictions have been initiated because evidence of drug activity was discovered.

Jackie Diaz has replaced Valerie Buchand as the Resident Liason on the HA Board. Jackie has been involved in public housing issues and is a community leader.

Mothers and Fathers Support Group

2006-05-30T22:06:00.000-04:00

"Understanding Parental Empowerment"

This group of about a dozen residents has been gathering on a weekly basis for several months in an effort to improve their community and their lives. They accept help but know that ultimately it is up to each individual to take control of their lives and find ways to improve. Wortking together as a group helps tremendously in this journey.

The group talks about living in a dangerous place in dangerous times. However they believe it is within their power to change their community - to make Sarasota’s public housing a safer community.

Organization, vision, communication and action are keys.

"We are capable people - there is too much out there, other people thinking we are not capable. We are capable. We want a better life and we will get there" says Jacqui Green on of the group's leaders (pictured on the left).

The group is discussing ways to identify resident's needs and how to find tailored help where required.

A mentoring plan is being developed for residents and willing volunteers in the Sarasota community. The Unitarian Universalist Church in Sarasota is helping to set up the mentoring program. Other projects include getting Florida Power and Light to pay attention to billing issues, looking at communication options like a newsletter, and looking for ways to wstablish reliable baby sitting when there are evening meetings that involve the residents.

The Mothers and Fathers Support Group is working toegther to address issues that will improve their community and their lives.

Housing Authority Monthly Meeting

2006-05-27T21:23:00.000-04:00

The next regular meeting of the sarasota Housing Authority will be held on:

Wed, May 31 at 5:00 PM - McCown Towers (Blvd of the Arts, Sarasota).

Notes from last month's meeting (thanks to Jude Levy):

Highlights from Sarasota Housing Authority Meeting held in McCown Towers at 5 pm, Wed, April 26

Present at the table: Ric Gilmore (lawyer), Bill Russell (Director of Sarasota Housing Authority), Carmen Valenti (HUD Receiver), Valerie Buchand (resident representative)

Litter Eradication Policy approved.

Tabled - Admissions and Continued Occupancy Policy for Public Housing. Mr. Russell, Mr. Valenti and Ms. Buchand will meet before the next meeting to accommodate revisions from Ms. Buchand.

Story on Karen Curry, Director of Resident Opportunities & Self Sufficiency, in this week's Tempo.

Public Housing resident hired to help Brian, Janie Poe Property Manager.

Installation of an a/c unit has been renegotiated. The cost is now $25 instead of $50 for residents.

David Cornwell, President/CEO of Cornwell Associates, gave a report on budget prepared for Sarasota HUD. Things have improved fiscally from the year before. $10.8 million in revenues in 2005.

Capital Fund projects planned: Paint Bertha Mitchell & McCown Towers, address site erosion, potholes, handrails where needed, put in new ranges & refrigerators in family units where needed.

Valerie asked for some designation of funds for resident training. There's been an $272,000 increase in Section 8 vouchers.

Mr. Russell explained that though increased subsidies are welcomed, some of the increase will be going to local landlords who have not had an increase in years. Their rents are going up because their taxes and insurance costs have escalated. It is important to keep the landlord base for the important Section 8 program so this is necessary. Valerie reported that she knows of residents who have been looking for months trying to find a landlord who will accept their vouchers.

Bill Russell reported that there were no evictions in March and April. Only one vacancy out of 488 units (with Section 8 building the total is 550). (There are 388 low income family units in Janie Poe, Bertha Mitchell, The Courts and Orange Avenue.) The higher number of 488 includes 100 studios (seniors and disabled) in McCown Towers.

Mr. Russell said Janie Poe residents' rents are at the 95% level of being paid on time.

(As of March 14, in the 388 family units, there were 38 residents earning $20,000 or more a year. 350 households earned less than $20,000 per year. 90% of the heads of households are women.)

Karen Curry reported on last weekend's election for officers in the resident organization representing three developments: Bertha Mitchell, The Courts, & Orange Avenue. A third party was not present so the election was not valid. It has been rescheduled for this coming Saturday from 10 am to 1 pm. Jackie Diaz and Jackie Green are running for president. Karen will be walking around and accepting absentee ballots which she will put in a sealed envelope. Only ten residents came out to vote. The Supervisor of Elections will be present this Saturday.

A social worker will be made available to residents, possibly in the next week or so, reported Bill Russell. The old contract has been settled and a new one negotiated.

Valerie is concerned about Quisha Miller who spoke up at the last Housing Authority meeting. She is concerned about Quisha's safety. Quisha is frightened for herself and her children. The drug dealers who hang around her corner and sometimes around her house have ramped up their threats. They know she has complained to the police. The police told the drug dealers she complained. Because Quisha was relocated from Cohen Way and Carmen Valenti promised those relocated from Cohen Way the first opportunity to receive Section 8s, Valerie urged expediting her voucher. Bill Russell will be meeting with the local police lieutenant this coming week.

Follow up on the spider bite report from a Janie Poe resident at the last Housing Authority meeting: The resident's apartment has been inspected fully and no spiders were found. Her home was fumigated. The resident is recovering.

Concern was expressed that of the 282 public housing units being asked for in the redevelopment plans, 84 of those units are projected for seniors (seniors have efficiencies). That leaves only 198 public housing family units. The Public Housing Task Force has requested that all 388 public housing family rental units (2, 3, 4 bedroom) be returned.

Mr. Valenti said the figures are fluid; that demographics of this region suggest the need for more senior housing. He explained that low income families can access the second tier of tax credit apartments (frankly, this part I do not understand).

When asked how many are on the waiting list for public housing, the response was that each development has its own waiting list. Because Brian, property mgr at Janie Poe, was present he spoke up and said he has 150 on his waiting list. 150 families are waiting for fully occupied Janie Poe homes (128 of them). That's just one development. I am going to guess that there could easily be 600 families and individuals looking for low income housing if all the waiting lists were added together.

The need is huge. There are no alternatives for low income families in Sarasota.

Demolition is still a year away and all construction will not be completed for approximately five years.

Chrystal Brown and Her Family

2006-05-25T16:24:00.000-04:00

Chrystal Brown is a single mom with three children and has lived in Sarasota’s public housing for six years. She recently moved from Cohen Way to Janie Poe. The Cohen Way building that was her home is scheduled for demolition and will become condos built by a Habitat for Humanity partnership.

Chrystal grew up in Miami and now both she and her mother make their home in Sarasota. Life has been a struggle for Chrystal as she recently lost her job and she battles illness. Her kids provide a light in her life.

The upcoming redevelopment of Sarasota’s public housing leaves her a bit fearful. She doesn’t know what the future holds for her. She really wants to be able to return to the redeveloped public housing. But her fear is two-fold; how will she manage during the "transition" period, when her unit is demolished and she lives in a different house while she waits for a new unit - if she gets one? This is the second part of her fear, will she be one of the families that can return?

Moving is difficult for a low income, single parent. Any time you move there are additional expenses such as first month’s rent, a deposit that can range from $500 to $1300, moving expenses like renting a truck, hookup charges for telephone, electric, etc., application fees, and other costs. If she moves off-site for a year or two, then back on-site, these costs become difficult.

While Chrystal has some friends in Sarasota, she spends much of her time with her kids - and watching out for their safety. The kids are not allowed to be out of her sight. There are too many distractions and safety issues (like other kids zooming through Janie Poe on mopeds at high speed) for her to be comfortable letting the kids roam around.

Has she seen much change since HUD took over the Housing Authority? Surprisingly she says not a lot has changed in her daily life. When Rudy Vazmina was in charge, he would come by every day or two and ask how things were going and would direct maintenance to work on problems identified by the residents. She doesn’t see much of Carmen Valenti or Bill Russell (the HUD Receiver and the Housing Authority Executive Director). It seems to her that they are less "connected’ now.

But life goes on, she worries that many current residents may become homeless during the redevelopment process, she looks for a job but can only work specific hours because someone needs to watch the kids, she thinks a lot about re-starting her own business - a cleaning service - since that would give her some flexibility in hours. But there are licence fees and insurance costs to pay.

She is very happy to have a roof over her family.

Redevelopment Process Moves Forward

2006-05-12T20:38:00.000-04:00

About three weeks ago, the housing authority issued a "request for qualifications" to find qualified and interested developers for the public housing redevelopment project.

Ten companies responded - three with Florida experience and seven others.

The developers with Florida experience are:

The Carlisle Group, which built the Willow Creek Apartments in North Port,
National Development of America, which built the Bayou Oaks Apartments in Sarasota.
MICHAELS DEVELOPMENT CORP., Mariton, N.J.: Since 1963, Michaels has built 40,000 homes in 27 states, Fl sites include Belmont Heights Estates in Tampa.

A committee including Bill Russell and Karen Curry from the Housing Authority's staff; public housing residents Valerie Buchand and Marjory Mack; Gail Miller, chief finance officer for Sarasota County; John Hawthorne Newtown Redevelopment manager; and the Rev. Patrick Miller of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Newtown will evaluate the qualifications of the developers on a point system based on various factors such as experience with public housing, Florida experience, etc.

The housing authority and the consultant group hired to help select the developer will then negotiate with the top ranked companies to choose the best developer for the Sarasota project. Selection is targeted for early summer.

The SHT article about this process is linked here.

Laykisha Miller

2006-05-09T14:27:00.000-04:00

Laykisha has lived in Sarasota’s public housing for a while. She some concerns, hopes and some good memories of living here.

As she contemplates the redevelopment of public housing here in Sarasota she is concerned that if better care is not taken of the facility that it will just begin to deteriorate again.

She indicates that now there is no privacy - no fenced yard that she can call her own. Others come and go near her apartment as they please and she fears about her safety and the safety of her children.

She would describe the homes as concrete blocks and thinks that a better design and more varied designs would provide significant improvement to her neighborhood.

While she hopes that she will be able to return to her hometown area in Miami, she fears that many of the current residents will become homeless during the transition to a redeveloped public housing complex. She has little confidence that she would be able to return to Sarasota’s public housing even if she wanted that. Questions of who would be "qualified", what would the income requirements be, will likely go well beyond the current simple background checks, she fears.

Laykisha says that the housing authority needs to do a better job of taking care of the residents - they should be more of an advocate for them when issues arise, helping the residents find the help they need.

But she also has good things to say about her life here. It is affordable, even for those with very low incomes. She likes the family setting and the fact that you can have your own place. She feels safe within her own home. She has made good friends within the public housing community and while she thinks that overall her life is good here, she knows that it could be better. Being in an established place gives her fewer things to worry about.

Seeking Shelter

2006-04-30T14:44:00.000-04:00

The Veice Gondolier has a story today about rebuilding public housing and the factors involved:

Low-income, affordable, subsidized, workforce -- four housing terms that are often used interchangeably but actually have very different meanings.

For Sarasota County residents making $20,000 or less a year, it's the "low-income" housing they're most worried about. Both of the county's public housing authorities are attempting to win large-scale redevelopment deals that could -- potentially -- mean fewer housing units for the poorest of the poor.

That worries people like Valerie Buchand, president of the Janie Poe Residents Council and Residents Task Force with the Housing Authority of the City of Sarasota.

Add in the idea of creating a regional housing authority that combines cities like Venice, Sarasota, Arcadia and Punta Gorda and the concern only increases. The Miami office of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development will have a meeting on the topic Monday at Venice City Hall.

"I would hope they're not trying to combine it just to get rid of it," Buchand said. "When I first heard about it, that was my thought. ... It's almost like we're up for grabs with all these political people, but none of the people I know running for public office even want to take a stand for our rights."

City Manager Marty Black suggested the idea while attempting to resolve controversy about Venice Housing Authority's redevelopment proposal. Every aspect of Venice's project from quality of design, the number of units dedicated to the poor, public input and overpricing has been questioned.

Suggesting a partnership with HACS means Venice could potentially inherit its $137 million redevelopment, and history of multiple failed redevelopment proposals.

I seriously doubt the City of Venice would "inherit" Sarsaota's public housing redevelopment project. Never the less, the article is worth reading.

What Happens to Relocated Public Housing Residents?

2006-04-29T16:18:00.000-04:00

The Urban Institute is a research organization focussing on public policy issues. According to their web site:

In the mid-1960s, President Johnson saw the need for independent nonpartisan analysis of the problems facing America's cities and their residents. The President created a blue-ribbon commission of civic leaders who recommended chartering a center to do that work. In 1968, the Urban Institute became that center.

Today, we analyze policies, evaluate programs, and inform community development to improve social, civic, and economic well-being. We work in all 50 states and abroad in over 28 countries, and we share our research findings with policymakers, program administrators, business, academics, and the public online and through reports and scholarly books.

Recently they published a study on what happens to relocated public housing residents. The following summarizes their findings:

1. What was the impetus for the HOPE VI Panel Study?
I had been studying public housing for a long time, including a longitudinal study in Chicago. When HOPE VI came in and began demolishing one of the developments we'd been tracking, I became interested in the question of what would happen to all of the residents. There was a lot of exciting talk about HOPE VI building back something wonderful, but it really wasn't clear what was going to happen to these people living in the developments, most of them using this as housing of last resort.
So we started to put together the idea for a study and took it to HUD [Department of Housing and Urban Development]. The late Art Naperstek took the idea to Barbara Mikulski [Democratic Senator from Maryland], who got the study written into HUD's authorizing legislation in 1999. Once HUD was committed to this study, we were able to bring in a number of private foundations to support the project.
2. What findings surprise you most?
We went into this study with concerns about what was going to happen to the residents. One concern was that a lot of people might fall out of the system and lose their assistance. We were all surprised at how positive the findings were. The neighborhoods where people now live are dramatically better than where they started. They are much safer. They are lower poverty.
A quarter of the sample is now living in low-poverty neighborhoods, which we did not anticipate. There has been a big improvement in housing quality, which was somewhat expected. But the magnitude of the change was more than we expected.
On the negative side, we were surprised that the people who received vouchers in our sample were living in housing of lower quality than other poor African-American central city renters. No matter how we cut it, there's something about the housing that they're moving to that still isn't as good as it should be. And that really surprises me.
It was also staggering to discover how many people said they were in poor health. We had included a few questions about health, primarily asthma, in the baseline survey because asthma is associated with poor housing conditions. The rates of asthma were two, three, four times the national average. We added a much more comprehensive list of items in the second survey, including depression and obesity. The results are just shocking. We found that 75 percent of the sample is overweight or obese. The rates of hypertension and diabetes go along with that.
To me, the most disturbing part of those findings is the number of working-age adults who are in extremely poor health. They're being targeted for all these efforts for self-sufficiency; they're expected to be improving their lives in HOPE VI, and really, they can't. Even those that are working, about half of them, earn so little money that the idea that they're going to become self sufficient and earn theirway out of public housing is unrealistic for most of them.
3. How much do outcomes vary among the five sites?
We have two very large sites, Chicago and Washington, D.C., and I expected these sites to look much different in terms of the resident population and level of physical distress. It wasn't true. The five sites look very similar across the board. We had grandparents taking care of grandchildren at every site. Health problems are similar. I think the site where people were complaining the most about crime at the start of the study was Durham, which really surprised me.
In terms of differences, Richmond is the only really ethnically diverse site we have—about half Hispanic. Also, Richmond and Washington have very hot rental markets, which make relocation much more difficult. Because of the rental housing situation in Washington, D.C., they've wound up relocating many families to other public housing.
Atlantic City has casino redevelopment, so they have a lot of resources for their redeveloped housing. Chicago has had the biggest improvement in poverty rates. Families came from a place that was 60 to 70 percent poor and moved to communities that are 20 to 30 percent poor. So that's a huge improvement.
4. How are children affected when families move?
Disruption is bad for kids. Changing schools is enough to set them back six months. On the other hand, these kids were living in terrible places that were also really bad for them. So, you could argue that it was worth the trade off.
Certainly I would say we're seeing more positive than negative, especially for those families who took vouchers and went to the private market. They're still in schools that are majority poor, but they're not 100 percent poor like the schools they were attending in public housing. Parents say the schools are safer. That has many implications for children's physical and mental health.
However, many kids moved to other public housing, where the behavior of the kids got worse. With gang and turf issues, when you move families around you risk a strong negative response from the people already living in the development. We heard stories from respondents of bullets being shot into their son's windows right after they moved to their new apartment. Gangs are a real problem and must be considered in relocation.
For those with vouchers, we hear that people are having a harder time making it financially in the private market. In public housing, families don't have to pay utilities. When they get out in the private market, suddenly they are paying huge gas bills. It looks to us that some families may be making tradeoffs that may not be good for the kids. People might pay their rent on time, but they reported hardship in paying for food.
5. What's the outlook for the HOPE VI program?
Last year, the Bush administration zeroed out funding for HOPE VI. Because there has been tremendous bipartisan support for this program in Congress, they reinstated it, but at much lower funding levels than before. It's not just the HOPE VI program.
The voucher program is also being threatened with cuts. To a large extent, the success of HOPE VI depends on the availability of replacement housing.
However, the money that's already been allocated for HOPE VI in the form of five-year grants is still there. The housing authorities have the money. So, there's still the opportunity to take that money and use it for something like a greater focus on health. There are still opportunities to do creative and innovative things with the funding that's out there.

More information about relocation of residents can be found here.

SHA in the News

2006-04-29T16:08:00.000-04:00

SARASOTA -- This city's Housing Authority may as well post a "no vacancy" sign.

This week, for the first time in years, the authority that manages public housing had just one of its 563 apartments vacant and being prepared for a new tenant.
A year ago, when the federal government took over the troubled agency, it had 49 vacancies.

Getting the vacancy rate down has been "a huge priority," William Russell, the authority's executive director, said.

Apartments were not empty and in disrepair because of a lack of need. More than 300 households, mostly families with children, tend to be on the projects' waiting lists.

Yet the previous authority had let apartments remain vacant for months before getting repairs completed and moving in new low-income tenants, Russell said.

This is from Dale White's recent story about this weeks Housing Authority board meeting.

The Sarasota Housing Authority has indeed done an excellent job in making need repairs to occupied units as well as dramatically reducing the turn around time to prepare recently vacated units for the next occupants. With many people on the waiting lists for public housing, it is nice to know that in Sarasota the vacated units are re-occupied as fast as possible.

Housing Authority Board Meeting

2006-04-26T23:53:00.000-04:00

The Housing Authority Board met on April 26.

Among the items discussed were:

1. Continuation of the discussion of the policy for "Admissions and Occupancy"

2. The proposed budget for 2007 was presented and accepted.

$10.8M in expected revenues and $10.6M in expected expenses.
An increase of about $200,000 in Section 8 voucher allocations. This will increase the number of vouchers as well as provide higher amounts for current vouchers.
Increased maintenance funding for many needed improvements including painting the exterior of McCown Towers.
More employee training funds.
It was stated that the Housing Authority is in a much better financial position compared to a year ago.

3. Program updates included

Currently there is only one vacancy in the entire 530 unit complex (includes McCown Towers). Much improved compared to lasty year.
There is in place a quick turn around process for getting a unit ready for the next tenant when a current tenant moves out. Typically the turn around time is 2-3 days.
All outstanding tenant iniated work orders have been completed.

4. Elections for officers of resident neighborhoods will be held this coming Saturday. The elections were postponed when a representative from the supervisor of elections office did not show up as expected. This third party oversight is needed to assure fair elections.

5. There was a "heated" discussion of an article that appeared in the Venice Gondolier last weekend in which the attorney recently hired by the Resident's Association was quoted.