CHA Executive Director Betsy McCrightBudget update
With two-thirds of the year under the housing authority’s belt, CFO Philippe Lindsay reported that the agency has had a “fairly decent year financially” with about $700,000 in income for all programs through Aug. 31, which he said is about $375,000 ahead of plan for the budget.“We’re hoping that that will continue through the remainder of the year,” he said.He told board members he would have the 2017 budget available in October.Board members approved Lindsay’s resolution to write off $58,177.09 in public housing tenant accounts and $2,314.15 in Greenwood Terrace tax credit accounts for the quarter ending last Friday.Most of the money written off is for fraud and unpaid rent, Lindsay said.He said the write-off amount is lower than usual and that the housing authority still could recoup some payments if the residents who owe the money apply to live in public housing again.
Last week, Chattanooga Housing Authority board members approved the 2017 Agency Plan and Five Year Agency Plan for 2017-2021.
Plans include a revised public housing admission and continued occupancy policy, changes to low-income public housing leases, revisions to the Housing Choice voucher administrative plan and capital budget concerns.
The 2017 Annual Agency Plan suggests that all future senior high-rise apartment tenant applicants must be at least 62 years old. Housing officials now accept applicants as young as 50. The plan also states that Cromwell Hills will become an Upward Mobility program site, which would require residents who live there to work or attend school for at least 30 hours a week.
The room was full of public housing residents and staff, but no one other than Housing Choice voucher property owner Jerald Peterson came to the podium when board Chairman Eddie Holmes opened the floor for comments during a hearing before the matter was voted on.