Ypsilanti officials ask HUD to provide daily oversight for housing commission
The Ypsilanti City Council is requesting day-to-day oversight by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for the Ypsilanti Housing Commission.
Mayor Pro Tem Lois Richardson said the transfer of the Section 8 program is a loss for the city.
Jeffrey Smith | AnnArbor.com
Council members voted on the request Tuesday, saying they believe oversight might be the only effective way to change the way the YHC is managed.
On Monday, HUD decided against offering a third alternative to the YHC that would have enabled the commission to keep its Section 8 voucher program. The YHC received a notice July 23 from HUD that said its voucher program is facing a $228,407 shortfall in funding.
HUD urged the commission to voluntarily transfer the entire program to the Michigan State Housing Development Authority.
The YHC operates 218 public housing units and the commission has 271 Section 8 vouchers — not including the 68 that have yet to be made available for people seeking to live at Hamilton Crossing, the former Parkview Apartments at South Hamilton and Harriet.
The commission signed a resolution Monday enabling Interim Director Eric Temple to transfer the program to the MSHDA. HUD said the transfer may be effective permanently.
Mayor Pro Tem Lois Richardson said the transfer reflects badly on the commission and the city as well.
"I think it’s a sad state of affairs," Richardson said. "When the housing commission loses a program due to incompetent leadership, the city loses. We should have taken a more definite stance… The fact that the city has potentially lost forever a housing program somewhat jeopardizes an $18 million project that is enhancing the entire region."
Temple told council at the meeting that by transferring the program, families using it will not be affected. The other option would have had severe effects, including rent increasing and families potentially losing their vouchers and subsequently, their homes.
“I know that’s a concern,” Temple said. “The vouchers will stay in the Ypsilanti community. The vouchers aren’t going to Michigan and going up north. This will just be an opportunity for the commission to focus on issues.”
Since the Section 8 program will no longer be managed by the YHC, it is unclear where or how Ypsilanti residents will apply for the program.
Ypsilanti residents expressed concerns regarding the Section 8 program transferring to the MSHDA.
Jeffrey Smith | AnnArbor.com
"They (MSHDA) had an office here, but it closed," Temple said. "Whether they will reassign someone here, we’re renegotiating that… That will be one of the things I keep in mind."
The effects the transfer will have on the program remain to be seen. Some council members believe the loss of the program will have profound effects. Temple said he doesn't think the effects will be far-reaching but some cutbacks may be made.
"We all may have to go back and take some percentage costs," he said.
Residents and council members expressed frustrations with the way the situation has been handled thus far.
Ypsilanti resident Kim Anderson wanted to know why an oversight committee was not put in place to monitor the commission's business dealings.
Council member Michael Bodary said council has not had a voice in throughout the entire process.
“We just kind of sit back and watch like the rest of the city and get concerned with what’s going on,” he said.
The YHC is funded entirely by HUD and is a separate legal entity from the city. YHC commissioners are nominated by Mayor Paul Schreiber and approved by city council.
Council members repeatedly asked the conditions under which former YHC Executive Director Walter Norris retired and what his severance package amounted to. Norris retired Aug. 4 and Temple was appointed interim director the same day.
YHC Attorney David Blanchard said although the number is still being finalized, current estimates show Norris may be set to receive $58,464.
Blanchard said $31,000 of that package amounts to vacation, sick and leave time that was due to Norris.
Bodary said he thought the amount was excessive.
“What section of the contract does it say he’s entitled to severance pay?” Bodary said. “ I don’t understand where this is coming from. That’s a lot of time off that you’re getting paid extra for. I’d like to see those figures. What will HUD have to say about this?”
Blanchard said the amount contains “things Norris was entitled to and not entitled to.”
Blanchard declined to provide more specifics, but said the separation package will become a public document.
Since being appointed interim director, Temple said he now has an $80,000 salary—an increase of $10,000 from his previous salary as the YHC’s administrative specialist.
Ypsilanti School Board member Linda Horne said she has concerns with the way the changes might affect families-- especially with the start of the school year right around the corner.
"I think the residents deserve to hear some facts," she said. "Not having families know where they're going is pretty serious. When you read about this stuff, it jolts you."
Katrease Stafford covers Ypsilanti for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at 734-623-2548 or KatreaseStafford@annarbor.com. You can also follow her on Twitter @KatreaseS.
Comments
Judy
Thu, Aug 16, 2012 : 5:50 p.m.
Temple said he now has an $80,000 salary—an increase of $10,000 from his previous salary as the YHC's administrative specialist. Who gave this guy a raise? Shouldn't he do "a" or "the" job first?
Ypsi Eastsider
Thu, Aug 16, 2012 : 2:31 a.m.
Any bets that Temple will also get a housing commission paid SUV as well as 4 weeks of vacation and a sweetheart lifetime pension plan like the former director.
Depot Town
Thu, Aug 16, 2012 : 2:42 p.m.
Carole, hopefully it's just like the lifetime pension you received for working at the city.
Basic Bob
Wed, Aug 15, 2012 : 7:09 p.m.
How can they justify giving Temple a raise when half his units are transferred out and HUD is running the office?
ypsilanti
Wed, Aug 15, 2012 : 7:01 p.m.
Interesting that this article does not mention the irony associated with officials spending money they don't have, particularly given Mr. Temple's background, which suggests this may not be the first time: http://www.annarbor.com/news/ypsilanti/ypsilanti-housing-commission-employee-revealed-to-be-convicted-felon/#.UCvwilZlR-Q
ypsilanti
Wed, Aug 15, 2012 : 8:05 p.m.
Ah, missed that one Katrease, thanks for the link!
Katrease Stafford
Wed, Aug 15, 2012 : 7:14 p.m.
Ypsilanti, Thanks for the comment! The initial article I wrote Sunday about the issues facing the Housing Commission addressed Eric Temple's background and provided feedback from various city officials. Here's the link: http://www.annarbor.com/news/ypsilanti/ypsilanti-housing-commission-director-walter/#.UCr6zpjZkVs
xmo
Wed, Aug 15, 2012 : 3:52 p.m.
Why is Government involved in this at all? They screw up everything they do. Now they want Government to fix the Government problem they caused, where does it all end?
Itchy
Wed, Aug 15, 2012 : 2:47 p.m.
Who provides oversight to this group? Why didn't they see that the process wasn't being managed all along, prior to this end decision?
greg, too
Wed, Aug 15, 2012 : 6:38 p.m.
I would think the 35k in raises the guy gave himself over a short period of time without any major great leaps would have been a clue that something odd might be going on. And I am not anti-Schreiber, but does not some of the flack for this come back on him? He nominated these dopes to these positions... Too bad, as usual, these things are not found out until after they have reached a non-fixable point. Now, some families in Ypsi will most likely get the boot from their homes and Norris will walk away scot free...and a pension too probably. Now I understand why the guy had an ear to ear grin in every picture taken of him.
LXIX
Wed, Aug 15, 2012 : 2:37 p.m.
"The Department of Housing and Urban Development sets a $155,000 limit after reports of chiefs at public housing authorities making more than $600,000". LA times 6/6/12 Who do you think pockets HUD funding? Wealthy landlords. And those Mayor-picked council-approved overpaid public housing authorities. Why would a mayor-select commission push a $105k boss salary? Or a sign-on bonus $10k raise, at the expense of homeless families/seniors waiting years for help? MSHDA has also had its own house cleaned by the current HUD.
Basic Bob
Wed, Aug 15, 2012 : 7:13 p.m.
I doubt any landlord is getting rich when you consider depreciation, damage, and neglect. What is the lifespan of a subsidized housing unit?
pseudo
Wed, Aug 15, 2012 : 1:24 p.m.
The problem I am having is that there aren't any good guys in this process except for the residents/potential victims. HUD is a terrible federal agency and, as the long and painful lawsuit from recent history proved: HUD acts irresponsibly far too often. The MSHDA isn't that great either. Ann Arbor's housing authority would be more local and less of a wreck but gee whiz...no good options.. But then there is Mr. Norris, the shady reporting on his performance, his compensation etc. Its even unclear if he was fired or 'retired'...apparently that is still being negotiated. At the same time they have elevated a convicted felon, given him a huge raise (to an inappropriate level). He actually had the nerve to ask council to consider his character as a positive last night. And the commission itself is clearly unable to account for their decisions and activities or tell anyone in plain enlish what has happened. When I look at their webstie I see a stark lack of diversity in background and very little expertise in the matters before this commission. This leads me to question what the actual criteria was for nominating and approving them. Was it their finaical acumen and experience with financial reporting? organizaqtional skills? business experience? Was it their HR experience in corporate policy and hire/fire documentation? Or were there other factors more important? I don't quiestion that they are nice people but this is quite a mess. Council seems to be posturing after the fact instead of keeping on top of a commission that has clearly been out of control quite some time. And yet the reality is that this commission reports to HUD and not council. How messy can something be? oi!
Ron Granger
Wed, Aug 15, 2012 : 1:19 p.m.
"Blanchard said $31,000 of that package amounts to vacation, sick and leave time that was due to Norris." What I would like to know is whether he ever took time off, and whether that time off was properly deducted from his remaining balance. Given the apparent financial irregularities with large sums of money, I would be shocked if time off was properly recorded. If you claim time off to which you are not entitled to, I believe it can be a criminal matter. Has he signed anything under oath confirming the time off as accurate? That should be a requirement to get the pay-out.
no flamers!
Wed, Aug 15, 2012 : 12:52 p.m.
It seems odd to me that a small program of 200-300 vouches has a commission and full time administrators including an outgoing administrator that makes about $100,000. Doesn't it seem like a little program like this could be run by the state or federal government (the funder) with almost no staff? p.s. I don't even believe Section 8 is a good mechanism to help the poor. If we want to redistribute more wealth from tax payers to benefit collectors, I'd rather given them $ because Section 8 housing is synonymous with run-down crime-ridden neighborhoods.
RUKiddingMe
Wed, Aug 15, 2012 : 1:10 p.m.
Excellent point re: staff for small "programs." This is such a consistent issue (govt prgrams overstaffing, etc.) that I can't believe people haven't had a general uprising. Anytime you hear "commission," "task force," etc., it probably means waste.
Ron
Wed, Aug 15, 2012 : 12:28 p.m.
Since being appointed interim director, Temple said he now has an $80,000 salary—an increase of $10,000 from his previous salary as the YHC's administrative specialist. Why is he getting a raise when they can't even afford to pay other obligations? I see in another comment from Pete Murdock saying that YHC commissioners have been removed from office? That's a great idea since they have such a huge short fall on obligations that they can't keep. I am glad the city stepped in and made the resolution to remove the commissioners and let the state finally take care of the section 8 program
Ron
Wed, Aug 15, 2012 : 7:08 p.m.
Katrease, Thanks for the Clarification. I misread it. But I do hope that the commissioners are forced to step down because of all the problems they are having.
Katrease Stafford
Wed, Aug 15, 2012 : 1:24 p.m.
Ron, Thanks for the comment! The commissioners have not officially been removed from office. In 2008 and 2009, board members Ma'Cheryl Jones, Deborah Strong, E. Renee Smith, and Bernice Ethington were appointed. Last night, the city council passed a resolution that rescinded its support of the initial appointments of those commissioners. It was not a resolution to remove the members.
glimmertwin
Wed, Aug 15, 2012 : 12:17 p.m.
Normal private sector workers get paid for their performance. You don't perform, you get fired. I guess it's a different set of rules when you are on the taxpayer's dime.
walker101
Wed, Aug 15, 2012 : 12:04 p.m.
Why should we be surprised? This is an everyday problem not only with HUD but with just about every Federal agency that have directors that over look any moral or ethical values and are incompetent when it comes to leadership, yet many continue to bury their heads in the sand and hope all is well. So much for transparency, just a figure of your imagination.
RUKiddingMe
Wed, Aug 15, 2012 : 11:14 a.m.
Ann Arbor residents reading this story should be able to make a connection between this commission (nominated by mayor, approved by council) and some of the ones we have. Some of our A2 commissions aren't even approved by council, they're just appointed, right? Does everyone know that they increased the staff of the public art commission in A2?
ordmad
Thu, Aug 16, 2012 : 5:15 a.m.
Commission appointments are generally approved by Council. Might be all of them, just not 100% sure.
Pete Murdock
Wed, Aug 15, 2012 : 11:14 a.m.
Lat night City Council also rescinded the resolutions appointing the members of the Housing Commission effectively removing them from office.
greg, too
Wed, Aug 15, 2012 : 1:36 p.m.
Can you now look into criminal charges? There has to be some form of malfeasance from Norris that can be punished.
AdmiralMoose
Wed, Aug 15, 2012 : 12:03 p.m.
That's as it should be.
raberwhitetail
Wed, Aug 15, 2012 : 10:41 a.m.
Nothing like rewarding the criminals and punishing the victims......seems to be the trend now days.