Despite a furiously fast start from the housing authority to convert to project based vouchers by way of RAD, the process is slowing down. Thanks in great part to the many of you who have gotten involved quickly, attended meetings, and expressed shock at the rapid move to eliminate public housing as we know it in Charlottesville!
The two remaining “resident meetings” regarding RAD have been cancelled. (no more 10/14 or 10/16 meetings).
CRHA, City Officials and PHAR leaders met Friday to discuss concerns. Despite the myriad problems associated with RAD, a more resident focused approach has been agreed to. The CRHA, along with the City of Charlottesville and PHAR will co-host a meeting later in the month to present much more information to residents and the public. We hope this will also include Charlottesville specific information, and will gain “meaningful and enforceable” resident input into the conversation.
This does not mean that PHAR supports RAD!
Nor does this mean that the danger has passed. CRHA still seems intent on applying for RAD and stands by it’s belief that the process can be stopped at any time.
We at PHAR remain skeptical. Once an application has been submitted and approved, the HUD timeline begins leaving residents and the broader community in much the same shape that it is in now- in a hurry to determine the future of public housing and redevelopment.
Here’s how it breaks down:
Application submitted
60 days for HUD to approve or deny
If approved the CRHA has 60 days to amend the annual plan to include RAD
6 months to gather all of the financial, physical, environmental, and community information and submit a plan, including for relocation.
One can see that this still leaves very little room for resident, and community input into decisions regarding public housing, and the future of affordable housing in Charlottesville. CRHA says it could stop the process in the time frame, this is true but still leaves us all making critical new decisions once the application has been submitted, albeit with some more information to chew on.
Over the past week, thanks to resident questioning and solid (and fast!) PHAR organizing, we have come to have a few questions answered about how RAD might be implemented in Charlottesville.
– Project Based Vouchers (rather than Project Based Rental Assistance)=>
*means CRHA would remain the landlord
– All 376 units would be converted=>
*if Family Self Sufficiency could remain as “supportive services” along with more elderly and disabled units being earmarked
– “silent” investors only
…and that’s about it. The above concepts for use in Charlottesville have not been determined by anyone, and alternatives could be considered before passing judgment.
Alternatives to RAD for funding of redevelopment should also be considered before passing judgment!
We are glad to see the City of Charlottesville getting involved, this is a community issue and the City needs to remain involved. We hope that both the city and the CRHA will commit to guarantees, and stand by their promises.
So far the CRHA has broken many promises made to residents.
Despite the slowing of the process, we still have major concerns about RAD:
– Public Housing Program rules and regulations will no longer apply, less oversight, less accountability, more uncertainty about the future
– Expired mortgages, contracts, and tax credits sets a timeline for the possible elimination of the converted units as protected, affordable, income based, housing
– New applicants may face stricter eligibility requirements
– Higher income targeting combined with less units for families could mean less units available for very low income people in the future
– Uncertainty about Board of Commissioner accountability
– More power in the hands of property managers
– Still no relocation plan!
– Potential “de minimus” loss of up to 18 units
– “Mobility Vouchers” for residents who wish to move could be unavailable, other vouchers for other housing programs reduced due to the stress of the mobility voucher option after conversion. (yes, we know it is confusing!)
How To Remain Involved
– Stay tuned and remain alert!
– Attend the informational meeting at the end of the month (tba)- and ask questions!
– Attend the October 28 meeting of the Housing Authority, speak about your concerns
*Don’t forget to wear your red PHAR t-shirt!
– Stay updated at www.pharcville.org and follow us on facebook
– Share this and future posts from our website!
– Write a letter to the editor:
Daily Progress
C-Ville Weekly- e-mail editor@c-ville.com
Write CRHA Board of Commissioners, copy and paste these e-mails=>
Keith@WoodardProperties.com; hosea.mitchell@varian.com; huja1@comcast.net; cgreene@ahipva.org; julie.c.jones@comcast.net; titatalbert@gmail.com; rizing2ttop@yahoo.com
Feel free to contact PHAR at any time!
Thanks for your support of residents and PHAR!
