New London — Imagineers LLC, a private housing services and management company, will spend the next month evaluating the operations, staff, policies and finances of the New London Housing Authority.

The move comes as the authority continues to explore the possibility of outsourcing management of its state- and federally subsidized properties.

The Housing Authority board of commissioners announced in September its intention to explore the idea of a massive overhaul with the impending exodus of residents from the Thames River Apartments complex on Crystal Avenue, which brought in significant revenue for the authority.

The 349 people living at Thames River, the authority's only housing facility for families, is more than the number of people living at the authority's four other properties combined. The loss of the 124 units would leave the authority with a total of 308 units. Those remaining are primarily for elderly and disabled residents.

“It makes sense to take a step back, look at our staff, how we’re structured and investigate if there are changes we should be making as we downsize,” interim Housing Authority Executive Director Lee Erdmann said.

“It never hurts to have a fresh set of eyes come in,” he said. “We want to find a level of stability and security.”

Imagineers was one of three organizations to respond to a request for proposals. The company, with an expansive portfolio in Connecticut, was chosen Wednesday by an evaluation committee of the Housing Authority to complete a free 30-day evaluation.

Imagineers later is expected to submit an action plan and cost estimate of running the authority.

The low-income families are expected to be moving out of the Thames River high-rises in the coming months, with housing vouchers obtained after the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development agreed the Crystal Avenue structures had outlived their usefulness.

The Thames River units have long been a source of complaints about unsafe and unsanitary conditions that have included rodent and insect infestations, mold and lack of hot water.

Erdmann said the request for proposals, in addition to Imagineers, garnered responses from the Wallingford Housing Authority and Elm City Communities, the name for the housing authority in New Haven.

He said an evaluation committee composed of himself, board of commissioners Chairwoman Betsy Gibson and board member Shannon Heap reviewed the three proposals and decided on Imagineers. Erdmann, who intends to stay through the end of January, said he is simultaneously accepting applications for the positions of a part-time and full-time executive director, depending on which direction the board decides to move.

The idea of a private management company has raised concern for Housing Authority residents and employees alike, who at a September meeting referred to the move as a “privatization” that could lead to higher rents, the displacement of residents and layoffs for Housing Authority employees.

Erdmann said having outside management is different from privatization — such as when Carabetta took over 300 units from the Housing Authority — in that the Housing Authority’s board of commissioners would remain the decision-making body for the properties.

The future for the 17 full-time employees is not so clear, however.

For John Bonanno, a longtime resident of Gordon Court, a 38-unit subsidized complex reserved for disabled residents, change is something to be concerned about for people on fixed incomes.

Bonanno said the authority’s maintenance staff and property manager are responsive and “good people.”

“They take care of us. They do a lot that people don’t see,” Bonanno said. “We don’t want to see the staff or maintenance people change because with change, you never know what you’re going to get.”

“We know them. They know us,” added Vivian McIntear, the leader of Gordon Court’s resident association.

McIntear and Bonanno both said the top concern for the residents was the possibility of a rent increase.

After paying for food, rent and utilities, “you don’t have a lot left over,” Bonanno said.

Erdmann said the Housing Authority’s vision, which is shared by Mayor Michael Passero, is to “better manage what we have left, to improve the quality of life for the residents and physical housing itself.”

“It takes resources we don’t now have,” Erdmann said.

In addition to Thames River, the authority manages the 128-unit property at 202 Colman St., the 99-unit Williams Park Apartments on Hempstead Street, the 38-unit Gordon Court and 42-unit Riozzi Court. Williams Park and Thames River are federally subsidized; the remaining properties are subsidized by the state.

“As we shrink the portfolio ... hopefully we’ll have more resources to put into the properties, allowing for rehabilitations or perhaps someday be in a position of being able to build new housing, either on our own or through a partnership,” Erdmann said.

He said outside management companies typically “have a level of expertise we currently don’t have.” The Housing Authority has shuffled executive directors four times since they parted ways with former Director Sue Shontell in November 2016. The agency recently ended a contract with Roy Boling in October.

HUD had been keeping a close watch on the authority since ruling the agency “substandard” in October 2016. HUD in May designated the board of commissioners as a high-risk agency for governance and required online training.

“Let’s face it. The New London Housing Authority has been a struggling housing authority for many years,” Erdmann said. "My predecessors were able to right the ship, so we’re not in the troubled category but we’re not by any means a high-performing authority. Ultimately, that’s the goal.”

Kathleen Mitchell, a member of the Housing Authority board of commissioners who has clashed with fellow members in the past, said she was blindsided by the latest moves of the board.

Mitchell said she wants what is best for residents, doesn’t necessarily disagree with exploring the idea of a private management company but said Housing Authority business is now being conducted behind closed doors.

The entire process is tainted by the fact that proper procedures are not followed, she said. She said the full board of commissioners never approved the request for proposals, never voted to bring in Imagineers and did not follow proper procurement regulations.

Erdmann said there was no hidden agenda and no “backroom deals.”

“People who do things in secret frequently say there is nothing to worry about,” Mitchell quipped.

g.smith@theday.com