August 22, 2023 Board Meeting Minutes

THE HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA
REGULAR BOARD MEETING MINUTES
501 Alonzo Watson Drive
South Bend IN 46601
August 22, 2023 @ 9 a.m.

• CALL TO ORDER:
  Commissioner Calvin called the meeting to order 9:00 a.m.
  
  
• ROLL CALL:
  Commissioner Virginia Calvin, Commissioner Stephen Luecke, Commissioner McNally
  
  
• HASB STAFF:
  Andy Delaney, Executive Director; Mrs. Deborah Mobley, Director of Public Housing; Ms. Lori Wallace, Director of HCV; Ms. Katherine Bailey, Family Self Sufficiency Coordinator: Ms. Pamela Rogers,b Administrative Assistant to Executive Director/Board Secretary
  
  
• OTHERS:
  
  
• OLD BUSINESS:
  Commissioner Calvin Read a statement for the approval of the executive sessions that was held in July 2023.
  
  Commissioner Luecke moved to approval of Minutes from the July 2023, board of commission meetings along with the minutes for the executive sessions. Commissioner McNally second the motion. The vote was as follows.
  
  
  • Commissioner Luecke AYE
  • Commissioner McNally AYE
  • Commissioner Calvin AYE
    
    
• PUBLIC COMMENTS:

We had two attendees at the August Board meeting, Mr. Rodney Gadson representing the South Bend Tenant Association and Ms. Lashanda Wright, resident of the HASB Laural Court. Mr.
Gadson said he was at the meeting to have 5 questions and 3 points to make.

Commissioner Calvin said we will hear the question, but the Acting Executive Director will get back to you with answers.

Mr. Gadson said that was fine and he just wanted to have his questions answered. He said tenants have been calling his office and they would like to know.

1. What are you going to do with Rabbi Shulman?
2. What are you going to do with Monroe Circle?
3. What is the plan for the 501 building? Will it be restored because it is in dire need of repairs?
4. There are 20 homes he has seen that are in bad disrepair and incomplete projects, what will be the modifications of Harbor Homes
5. In the last meeting here in April, the board wasn't very clear about the assets that they had retained rather than selling the 95 units that were off-site to gain assets because of loss of revenue.

Now the 3 points

1. We would like to work with the HASB since the interim director is here, he would like to come with the concern that the tenant has.
2. He and other housing advocates would like to come and continue the work that was being done at the 501 Building with tenant associations that was established with Catherine Lamberg. He would like to see that re-established.
3. There are tenants here, when the judgments are happening, they are not having their rights upheld. There have been bad inspections, he knows of three inspectors that have been removed from being inspectors. The Question is Will there be better oversite or will there just be as they are going to be? And what will the board do now (since the interim director is here now) to ensure that these case managers and the inspectors are being fairly done and dealt with.

Commissioner Calvin advised Mr. Gadson that his questions will be answered. Pamela stated that it will go through the Attorneys.

• NEW BUSINESS:
  None

• EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR REPORT:

• FSS
  Katherine went over the report for FSS for the month of July stating there are 69 participants enrolled in the FSS program. 57 in the HCV program, 12 in Public Housing, and 34 Participants with escrow accounts, with $71,464.00 for the total amount in escrow. Jovanna Wright, owner of Wright Way 2 Go Financial Services was the guest speaker at the FSS July Meeting. She discussed entrepreneurship, budgeting, and credit repair. FSS enrolled 2 new HCV participants and terminated I participants (ported to Housing Authority of Georgia) public housing terminated I participant (nonpayment of rent) $945.00 was rescinded.

• LOW-INCOME PUBLIC HOUSING (LIPH}:
  Mrs. Mobley started her report stating that all can see that Monroe Circle has been taken down. She went over the vacancy list where there are 226 Vacant units. As for work orders for the month of July we had 420 Routine and 4 Emergency work orders both was up from the previous month. For Charge in for July, the HASB charged $104,698.48 and collected $132, 246.89. In the month of July, the HASB leased up 1 off the waiting list and transferred 1. We closed 121 off the intake file for no responses or request to be removed.
  
  Commissioner Luecke asked, of the Vacancies in the 501 building, how many of those are in the wing that is closed down. And are those in need of substantial rehab?
  
  Mrs. Mobley said there are 16 she believes and agreed that the rest are scattered throughout the building. And yes, they need to be rehabbed.
  
  

• HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER PROGRAM (HCVP):
  Ms. Wallace went over the data reflecting 2300 Total Households Serviced. 2072 HCVP, 83 Vash Veterans, 36 FSS, 28 Emergency housing Vouchers, 12 Foster Youths, 0 port ins, 27 port outs with 45 relocations. We have 106 Vouchers issued on the Street, 56 Requests for Tenancy Approval, 132 interim changes 115 Annual Re-examinations, and 16 end-of-participation. For the inspections 377 Total number of Inspections, 58 initial, 18 initial re-inspection 204 Annual inspections, 13 abatements, 2 special inspections, 6% no-shows. HCVP highlights for July were utility Allowance updated for program participants, resulting in greater client support with rising utility costs. Completed one-on-one meetings with all HCV staff to better determine what is working. Work Queue change effective July 1, 2023. Participation/representation at meetings regarding Council Bill 47-23 regarding homelessness. Met with C. Hetler, new city coordinator for the Homeless to develop partnership.

• FINANCIAL REPORT:
  Mr. Delaney went over each AMP. Starting with AMP 1, he stated that other income is 151% of the budget because we charge tenants more for damages to the units. Office expenses are 160% of the budget because of the IT improvements made. Legal expense is 29% of the budget because of fewer evictions notices. In AMP 2, Operating Subsidy is 160% of the budget and it will be used later on in the year. Administrative salaries id 48% of the budget. Audit Expense is 209% of the Budget. Because of the shifts from amps 1 & 2 to Amps 3 & 4 Maintenance Material is 65% of the budget. Amp 3, office expense is 158% of the budget. Legal expenses are 690% of the budget. Amp 4, Rental income is 110% of the budget, office expense is 148% of the budget, same as for audit expenses and maintenance wages. And the total other expenses are 114% of the budget. Shortfall funding is 91% of the budget. HCV HAP no budget for other income. Fraud income is 200% of the budget. C0CC Capital fund Management fee is 240% of the budget. Employee benefits are 65% of the budget.
  
  Commissioner Luecke asked was any of these increases in evictions was because people had not paid the rent and we extended the opportunity for them but then still didn't meet the deadline.
  
  Mr. Delaney said that was correct.
  
  

• DEVELOPMENT AND PROCUREMENT:
  The city of South Bend has procured a contract for the demolition of Monroe Circle. The winner of the bid is Green Demolition. The demolition has begun. Hartland environment will remove two underground tanks from Rabbi Shulman. They will coordinate the time with green demolition this hasn't commenced.
  
  Commissioner Calvin asked during the demolition of Monroe Circle, have you received any calls pertaining to the demolition?
  
  Mr. Delany said he hasn't received any calls at all.

• CLOSING:
  Commissioner Calvin stated that as a board that they appreciate the staff. And that they have confidence that they will continue to do a good job. And thanks for continuing to do a good job. And to the visitors thank you for coming and we will get you answers to your questions. It was approved and seconded for adjournment.
  
  Next meeting is September 26, 2023