Latest news with #U.S.HousingandUrbanDevelopment
New York Post
2 days ago
- Politics
- New York Post
Exclu! HUD secretary scolds NYCHA over waste, fraud, abuse
A top Trump official scolded the city's public housing agency over 'waste' and 'fraud' — and took aim at the federal monitors that have failed to clear the 'abuse', at a meeting with New York housing officials in the city Friday. U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Scott Turner issued the scathing rebuke of the New York City Housing Authority Friday during a tense meeting with agency's head. 'I see a lot of waste. I see a lot of fraud, and a lot of abuse,' Turner said. 3 HUD secretary and NFL player Scott Turner (pictured), visited a NYCHA complex Friday morning. William Farrington The ex-NFL player, who was visiting NYCHA to take inventory and discuss financial management, also took aim at the agency's independent monitors — federal watchdogs that ensure NYCHA is carrying out its duties — saying their performance was lackluster. 'The monitoring is not going well at all. We need to take inventory of that. We need to ask a lot of hard questions,' he said Turner cited crime — including a recent shooting at Chelsea's Fulton-Elliot houses that left a 21-year-old dead, and the 50,000-person waiting list that NYCHA currently has despite an estimated 5,000 vacant units — as some of his primary concerns. 'This kid being killed yesterday, that's deeply disheartening to me,' said Turner. 3 Lisa Bova-Hiatt (left) the CEO of NYCHA, explained the renovations of one unit to Turner. William Farrington The federal monitorship was instated in 2019 following a series of scandals within NYCHA that drew major national criticism between 2015-2018. During this time, it was uncovered that the housing agency was covering up hazardous conditions, and falsely certifying inspections. The 2019 monitorship agreement served as a compromise between the Feds and the City to prevent a full federal takeover of the housing authority. Though it seemed to be working for a time, NYCHA took another major blow in 2024 after 70 employees were arrested on bribery charges in a shocking sweep by the Department of Investigation. Considered the largest single-day bribery takedown in history — the scheme involved about $13 million in contracts and $2 million in bribes. 3 In 2024 – 70 NYCHA employees were busted for taking bribes In a shocking sweep by the DOI. Paul Martinka The current monitors are attorneys Neil Barofsky and Matthew Cipolla of law firm Jenner and Block. They were appointed in February 2024. The previous NYCHA monitor, Bart Schwartz, made over $600 an hour. Earlier this year, President Donald Trump filed a lawsuit against Jenner and Block in a seeming retaliation against emergency lawsuits filed by the firm over some of the president's executive orders — but Trumps suits were blocked by a district Judge, according to reports. Despite Turner's harsh criticisms — NYCHA CEO Lisa Bova-Hiatt appeared more concerned about potential massive federal budget cuts that could be coming NYCHA's way. 'Of course (we're concerned). The budget is a concern for everyone,' she said. 'But you know, we're hopeful that what the secretary saw today will show him how very important public housing is,' said Bova-Hiatt in reference to a newly renovated NYCHA apartment toured by the HUD head. Turner defended the cuts — saying the proposed block grant model, which delivers money to the states in a lump sum vs directly to the city organization, would give rightful power back to the states. 'The proposed block grant system in our budget will be a way for the states to have skin in the game […] to identify and appropriately distribute funds where it is needed as it pertains to rental assistance and serving communities in that particular state,' he said.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
HUD officials tour highlights of revitalized Pottsville
POTTSVILLE — U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) officials toured the city on Wednesday, getting a firsthand perspective on important projects backed by numerous local organizations to revitalize downtown. Joseph J. DeFelice, HUD's assistant deputy secretary in the Office of Field Policy & Management, Regional Administrator Senior Advisor Elvis Solivan and Regional Administrator Special Assistant Adam Kelly joined local business leaders on a tour of downtown Pottsville, transported by an old-fashioned city trolley. The tour showcased the progress being made with the help of organizations such as the Pottsville Area Development Corp., Barefield Development Corp. and local state legislators. The delegation met at the newly opened Discovery Park at 3rd and Market streets, then went to the former Miners National Bank, which will become The Rosalia hotel and event space. Bill Metzinger, owner of Metz Properties in Orwigsburg, which is developing the building, presented plans for The Rosalia. The tour then moved to the Schuylkill Trust Co. building at 101 N. Centre St., which is being developed into market-rate apartments. Savas Logothetides, executive director of PADCO, pointed out the other 'white whale' of downtown apartment development, the historic Thompson Building across the street. The city seeks conservatorship of that long-vacant building, which is owned by an out-of-town landlord, Logothetides said. * U.S. Housing and Urban Development Assistant Deputy Secretary Joseph DeFelice learns about the Miners National Bank becoming a hotel and event space during a tour of Pottsville, Wednesday, June 4, 2025. (MATTHEW PERSCHALL/MULTIMEDIA EDITOR) * U.S. Housing and Urban Development Assistant Deputy Secretary Joseph DeFelice, left, talks with Bill Metzinger inside the Miners National Bank during a tour of Pottsville, Wednesday, June 4, 2025. (MATTHEW PERSCHALL/MULTIMEDIA EDITOR) * U.S. Housing and Urban Development Assistant Deputy Secretary Joseph DeFelice takes a tour of Alvernia University – Pottsville CollegeTowne during a tour of Pottsville, Wednesday, June 4, 2025. (MATTHEW PERSCHALL/MULTIMEDIA EDITOR) * U.S. Housing and Urban Development Assistant Deputy Secretary Joseph DeFelice discusses his tour of Pottsville, Wednesday, June 4, 2025. (MATTHEW PERSCHALL/MULTIMEDIA EDITOR) Show Caption 1 of 4 U.S. Housing and Urban Development Assistant Deputy Secretary Joseph DeFelice learns about the Miners National Bank becoming a hotel and event space during a tour of Pottsville, Wednesday, June 4, 2025. (MATTHEW PERSCHALL/MULTIMEDIA EDITOR) Expand The tour ended at Alvernia University-Pottsville CollegeTowne, the local campus of the Reading-based university which opened at the former Giant store at 500 Progress Ave. DeFelice, who started his day with a similar tour in Tamaqua, remarked on the power of collaboration between local organizations to spur economic development. He had previously visited Pottsville in 2019, and was impressed with the progress made since then. 'What I was most impressed with was the collaboration across multiple sectors, whether it's housing, hospitality, health, education,' DeFelice said. 'They seem to have kind of everything they need here now.' DeFelice believes the one missing piece is affordable housing, which he acknowledged HUD will continue to address with its public and private partners locally. U.S. Housing and Urban Development Assistant Deputy Secretary Joseph DeFelice takes a tour of Alvernia University – Pottsville CollegeTowne during a tour of Pottsville, Wednesday, June 4, 2025. (MATTHEW PERSCHALL/MULTIMEDIA EDITOR) He noted that many communities, even in rural areas, have urban centers that need vital attention in regard to housing and accessibility. 'The president and (HUD Secretary Scott Turner) have made a strong commitment to rural communities,' he said. Pottsville appears to have 'all the amenities that they need,' he said, 'but the rents need to be right.' 'With the price of housing skyrocketing, people need the urban center (in Pottsville) … and that's all here,' DeFelice said. 'It's just a matter of making it affordable for people to live here.' Dave Young, executive director of Schuylkill Community Action, stressed better collaboration between local municipal governments. 'I wish there was a way to bring them all together … to really, collectively find solutions,' he said. 'I think that would be the biggest piece here, getting some of the municipal entities involved in that.' Others who attended the tour included State Sen. David G. Argall, members of the Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce, and staff assistants for Argall and U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
City of Danville receives $850K HUD grant to demo houses in central Danville
More than 30 city-owned vacant homes will be demolished in the coming months to make way for a rehab project in west-central Danville, thanks to a $850,000 grant from the U.S. Housing and Urban Development's Economic Development Initiative program. The properties to be demolished are all located in a swath of land between Logan Avenue and Gilbert Street east and west, and Madison Street and Williams Street north and south. The city's project, named the Madison Neighborhood Revitalization Plan, was developed in 2023 due to the state of the neighborhood, which the City said is one of 'despair.' The project will primarily be focused on blight remediation and exterior rehabilitation of owner-occupied homes within the project area to revive the neighborhood, according to the official project description in the HUD grant application. 'Many structures in the neighborhood are in a dilapidated condition; thus, funds will be utilized to demolish these uninhabitable structures. The project will focus significantly on the demolition of these deteriorating buildings,' the grant application reads. Of the total $850K, $610,000 is earmarked for demolitions. Not all the properties in the area will be torn down, however. According to the grant application, $165,000 of the grant is to be set aside for repairs to several residential structures that have been identified for minor to moderate repairs. The remaining $75,000 of the grant is set aside for contingencies, or problems which may arise during the course of the project. Asbestos and Lead removal before demolition Currently, environmental assessments and asbestos surveys are in progress and will be completed before any demolitions are slated to begin. The city plans to utilize a portion of the grant to remove asbestos and lead in the properties prior to demolition, as required by law. Redevelopment: next steps Once the chosen properties are demolished, the project will move into its next phase: rehabilitation and development. The northern block will have 56 affordable housing units built on it, which will be potentially funded by IHDA's low-income tax credits. The southern portion, once demolished, will be left as green land until viable development plans are proposed, according to the language of the grant. As to how developers will be found to revitalize the area, Mayor Rickey Williams, Jr. said at Tuesday's City Council meeting that there will be no RFP issued. 'We will probably not issue an RFP, because, as you know, then we'd have to go with the lowest bidder,' Williams said. 'We will probably issue an RGQ or an RFI and then receive proposals to review.' An RFQ, or request for quotation, is a detailed document that lists specifications for a project plan, whereas an RFI is simply a request for information, inviting different companies to submit basic information about their ideas for the development of the area. It remains unclear as to when demolition work will begin. Williams and David Ruwe, Director of Public Works, could not be reached for comment before press time.
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Florida homeless service demands increase despite drop in federal, state funding
As Board Chair of The Lord's Place, a local nonprofit providing programs and services to end homelessness, we serve our most vulnerable neighbors. On any given night there are thousands of men, women and children – hidden in the shadows of Palm Beach County's paradise – who do not have a safe and permanent place to call home. Annually, we participate in the U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD)-mandated Point-in-Time Count (PIT). PIT is a count of sheltered and unsheltered people experiencing homelessness on a single night in January. As reported by The Palm Beach Post, the January 2025 PIT Count recently released reflects 1,520 individuals and families in Palm Beach County who are struggling without a place to call home. This reflects a decrease of more than 28%, after staggering increases that were reported in 2023 and 2024. Although the count is a vital tool for resource development and planning, it serves as one measure of Palm Beach County's progress in decreasing homelessness and success in housing homeless populations. The recent statewide legislation makes it illegal to camp on public property and has led many of those we seek to move into the shadows. This makes it increasingly difficult to get accurate results. The School District of Palm Beach County uses another tool to count public school students who are experiencing homelessness. According to the school district's latest count, there are 4,252 students in our county without a place to call home. And, as observed by The Lord's Place staff, we are seeing an ever-increasing number of local residents seeking services because they no longer have a secure roof over their heads. Since our fiscal year began July 1, 2024, we have served a total of 1,891 men, women and children so far – an additional 312 individuals experiencing homelessness compared to the previous year-to-date. The great news is that the county government and community partners, like The Lord's Place, are working harder than ever to serve our at-risk neighbors. As an example, previous PIT Count surveys showed a rise in senior homelessness which led The Lord's Place to recently open Burckle Place III, an intergenerational housing facility for 21 women. We are also getting ready to open Bill's Place, a facility for men 55 years and older. Opinion: I'm an Army veteran. Florida's u-turn on our benefits is common sense. The not-so-good news is this year's decreased PIT Count could mean a reduction in allocated federal and state resources to provide housing and supportive services designed to assist individuals and families out of homelessness and into stability. The unsettling reality is a gap exists between the number of unhoused people we count and the actual number who lack permanent shelter – perhaps those who are couch surfing, living in their cars, hidden in wooded areas, encampments or at work or school. Therefore, we continue to face a shortfall in the resources we have to serve this more than ever, agencies like ours are having to turn to private donors to mitigate the impact of these potential cuts to ensure continued support for our neighbors in need. Letter: Federal funds aid Palm Beach County The Lord's Place, along with the County and our community partners, will continue to play a key role in advocating for more resources. As ambassadors for those experiencing homelessness, our work will never be done until every individual in Palm Beach County is accounted for and has a home. Cornie Thornburgh is Chair of The Lord's Place Board of Directors. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Florida homeless services need increases as funds decrease | Opinion
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
HUD field office, staff reductions could impact Ohio locations
Apr. 8—Housing advocates say that plans to shutter dozens of U.S. Housing and Urban Development offices and reduce staff at the federal agency will increase the wait time for assistance and put housing-insecure people at risk during a time of increased homelessness in Ohio. The Trump administration has plans to cut the Federal Housing Administration staff significantly and close all HUD field offices in Ohio and more than 30 other states, according to a Bloomberg report. No decisions have been made about field office locations as of this week, a HUD spokesperson said. Ohio is home to field offices in Columbus and Cleveland — these two offices carry out multiple tasks related to housing, including processing mortgage insurance applications, underwriting mortgage loans, addressing fair housing claims and distributing federal funds. Coalition on Housing and Homelessness in Ohio communications and development director Marcus Roth said the move to reduce housing staff and consolidate field offices seems "wrong-headed" during a housing crisis. "When you don't have enough people on the ground to actually implement the laws that Congress has passed, they become essentially broken promises," Roth said. "We're not saying that HUD does everything perfectly, but recklessly gutting the agency is really going to harm a lot of Ohioans who are struggling to keep a roof over their heads." In a letter to HUD Sec. Scott Turner, Ohio congressional Democrats recently said that closing or downsizing HUD field offices in Ohio would "harm vulnerable populations." U.S. representatives included in the letter are former Daytonian Rep. Joyce Beatty, of Columbus; and Rep. Greg Landsman, of Cincinnati, whose district includes Warren County. According to a press release from Beatty's office, more than 422,000 Ohioans — 71% of whom are seniors, children, or people with disabilities — rely on federal rental assistance to afford housing. "At a time when the cost of housing continues to rise, homelessness has reached historic levels, and communities face increasing economic uncertainty, HUD must remain a fully staffed and functioning agency," the letter says. According to the letter, HUD's Columbus field office — which serves the Dayton area — had lost a dozen of its staff members in March, with another five employees announcing their retirement. "The Administration's staffing reductions and office closures not only undermine HUD's ability to enforce fair housing policies, respond to local housing crises, and administer critical programs, but also place undue strain on the remaining workforce," the letter says. National reports say the only six field offices that would be left open are those in Anchorage, Alaska; Greensboro, North Carolina; Honolulu; Jacksonville, Florida; Los Angeles; and San Juan, Puerto Rico. But under federal law, there are requirements for at least one field office existing in each state. Ohio representatives included in the letter called on HUD to follow statutory rules for the agency. The National Low Income Housing Coalition reports that Ohio faces a shortage of more than 264,000 rental homes that are affordable and available to extremely low-income families. According to the Coalition on Housing and Homelessness in Ohio, average rent increased by 20% across the state in 2021 and 2022, the early pandemic years. Homelessness overall has increased in Ohio by 10% since January 2020, according to the organization. Roth said the cost of rent in Ohio has slowed down in the past couple years, but Ohio's rent decreases have come much more slowly than other Midwestern states. "The last you want to do when you have increasing homelessness and rising rents is take your foot off the gas of the programs that actually help to try to close the gap for people," Roth said. "We should be beefing up these programs, increasing the amount of resources that can be used to develop affordable housing."
