Commissioner calls for federal intervention at Crystal Avenue high rises
New London – Calling the conditions at the three high-rises off Crystal Avenue deplorable, a member of the New London Housing Authority Board of Commissioners on Thursday called for intervention by way of receivership.
Commissioner Betsy Gibson asked her fellow board members to write to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and request receivership of the Thames River Apartments for 120 days under HUD’s Cooperative Endeavor Agreement. She also wants a forensic audit of the housing authority finances.
The request, to be discussed further at a special meeting on Tuesday, comes in the wake of a HUD notification in September that the housing authority was being downgraded to “substandard” because of its finances and the physical conditions of the two federally subsidized properties — the 124-unit Thames River Apartments on Crystal Avenue and the 99-unit Williams Park Apartments on Hempstead Street.
“There has to be some action taken to handle the issues at Thames River,” Gibson said. “We have issues that are 20 years old, and somewhere we have to make a bold move. We need to do something now — not six months from now. We need to fight hard for these families.”
Attorney John Casey called the move “a bit shortsighted” and warned the board to first research the possible ramifications of turning over the property without considering alternatives.
Housing Authority Executive Director Sue Shontell had already drafted a response to HUD that disputes its findings — calling into question an inspector’s report and offering evidence that the allegations of financial improprieties were incorrect. Timothy P. Sandor, the housing authority’s accountant, said HUD’s accusations that a transfer of federal funds for a state program “absolutely did not happen.”
HUD’s inspection summary for Thames River Apartments highlights “systemic problems in physical performance” and details units with mold, leaks, bed bugs, damaged hardware, mouse infestations and air-quality issues.
Some of the same problems were documented in a class action lawsuit filed on behalf of the residents by attorney Robert Reardon. The suit, after a decade of legal wrangling, led to stipulated agreement that the housing authority renovate Thames River Apartments or find new housing for the more the 300 people there.
The housing authority’s answer was to enlist Peabody Properties and Affordable Housing and Collaborative — companies that specialize in affordable housing developments. Earlier this year, they purchased the former Edgerton School property with the idea of building a $40 million development. The idea is to move the 124 families from Crystal Avenue to a new and modern development that has seen some pushback from neighbors.
At least one member of the commission is against the idea of moving to Edgerton. Commissioner Kathleen Mitchell said it didn’t appear all other options were considered and she has yet to see a survey of what the residents at Crystal Avenue want.
Mitchell is one of four new board members appointed under Mayor Michael Passero — a shakeup and change in guard that has not gone over well with board Chairwoman Tambria Moore.
Moore resigned abruptly on Thursday, citing tensions with Mitchell.
In a letter to Passero and Shontell, Moore calls some of Mitchell’s actions “intolerable barriers to the orderly conduct of business” and charges her with an array of misconduct to include “failure to abide by the ethical constraints in the by-laws of the NLHA,” and “interference with the operations and leadership of democratically elected tenant associations.”
Mitchell was unfazed by the accusations and said Moore had been mostly unavailable to other board members and had ideas that were contrary to hers.
“She was more in tune with the executive director’s goals than the concerns of the residents. I don’t see that as a way forward,” Mitchell said.
The board’s special meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday in the community room at Thames River Apartments. The board is expected to discuss a response to HUD and also elect officers. Along with Gibson and Mitchell, board members are Stephanye Clarke and Jeanette Parker.
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