Tuesday, February 07, 2012

Why rich folks always can be trusted to construct tax-free buildings correctly, and other tasty tales of Monday's city council shipwreck.

My ad hoc and purely momentary "reflections" on last evening's bizarre council gathering are collated here:



Somewhere beneath the pop-ups and roll-overs, Daniel Suddeath's News and Tribune is here: New Albany council opposes two low-income developments; Tax credits can still be sought by Summit Springs, Legacy at Riverside.

Bob Caesar's and Kevin Zurschmiede's kinky, fetishist choice for required reading by Pretend-Democrats and Republicans alike, amid any discussion of human rights, anti-poverty programs and BZA board appointments is here: It is forbidden to relinquish property tax monies in cases of reduced-income tax credit projects, but it is required, fondled and fluffed in cases of Jack Bobo's target-the-wealthy condos, since those people will buy more diamonds and shit.

Finally, here's a view of last evening's "Public Speaking Round Two," otherwise known as the Charge of the Bud Light Brigade:


5 comments:

Iamhoosier said...

Yesterday, on this blog, I doubted the sincerity of the "moment of reflection". I was wrong.

Diane has done a good job of running the meetings since being elected president. She's organized, keeps the meetings moving, doesn't allow extraneous comments when votes are taken, etc. So far, color me impressed.

w&la said...

Quoting Daniel Suddeath's article in the EN&T:

The Sterling Group builds affordable and market rate developments, but he said the need was greater for low-income housing in New Albany.

“That’s where the deficiency is at,” Swank said.


Why are there so many under served citizens who need new "low-income" housing in New Albany?

Is "low-income" the actual "market rate" in New Albany?

The New Albanian said...

When he said this, he was speaking specifically about 55+ (age) households, of which those falling between 30% and 60% of area (?) median income would qualify to apply for Sterling's housing. According to Sterling, this was a market revealed to be underserved by research, as opposed to income groups below 30% median income who'd qualify for conventional public housing.

My guess in all this is that Sterling it talking about an older couple in a decaying property, who'd move into Legacy and sell their home for pennies to a slumlord, who's install rental housing, the quality of which would not be enforced by existing city codes.

Am I close?

w&la said...

Who are the inspectors for HUD Section 8 housing in New Albany?

It appears that members of the public can complain about the condition of these properties, initiating a special inspection of the premises.

Quoting the HUD:

What is the purpose of Housing Quality Standards?

The goal of the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program is to provide “decent, safe and sanitary” housing at an affordable cost to low-income families. Housing Quality Standards help HUD and local Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) accomplish that goal by defining “standard housing” and establishing the minimum quality criteria necessary for the health and safety of program participants. All HCV housing units must meet these housing quality standards in order to participate in the HCV program.

What are the 13 key aspects of housing quality covered by performance requirements and acceptability criteria in the HQS?

The 13 key aspects of housing quality covered by the HQS include:

• Sanitary facilities;
• Food preparation and refuse disposal;
• Space and security;
• Thermal environment;
• Illumination and electricity;
• Structure and materials;
• Interior air quality;
• Water supply;
• Lead-based paint;
• Access;
• Site and neighborhood;
• Sanitary condition; and
• Smoke Detectors.

How are Housing Quality Standards enforced?

HQS inspections are conducted by PHA staff and contractors to ensure that potential and current HCV housing units meet the minimum performance and acceptability criteria for each of the 13 key housing quality aspects.

When do HQS inspections occur?

HQS inspections come in three different varieties.

Initial Inspections occur when a voucher holder indicates to their PHA that they desire to lease a specific housing unit. The unit must pass the
initial inspection before the execution of the assisted lease and housing assistance payments (HAP) contract and the initiation of payments.

Annual Inspections occur once a year on housing units that are currently under lease by an HCV participant family. Annual inspections ensure that HCV housing units continue to meet HQS throughout the tenancy of the HCV participant family.

Special Inspections may be complaint inspections or quality control inspections.

Complaint inspections occur when a tenant, owner,
or member of the public complains about the condition of an HCV housing unit.


The question is: who are the federal level inspectors in New Albany?

G Coyle said...

Yes, who are the inspectors?