In a surprising announcement yesterday, the Mayor’s office and officials of HUD announced a negotiated agreement to address long standing problems between the agency and the city. Having been at odds for several years over the administration of several grant programs administered locally by the Housing and Community Development Department, they have agreed to let the federal officials come in to assist in the detailed top-to-bottom analysis and redesign of the local housing department
The department’s annual budget is $65 million, about 80% of which comes from HUD. Its focus helps provide affordable housing through programs for senior citizens, the disabled, veterans and individuals with AIDS. The department also helps other facilities, such as libraries and community centers, but it administers no vouchers and owns no public housing.
According to Houston Chronicle coverage of the announcement event,
HUD will provide sweeping oversight as well as guidance for virtually all housing department programs. Programs specifically mentioned in the agreement include the Home Investment Partnerships Program, homeless assistance, Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS, community development block grants, disaster recovery assistance and the neighborhood stabilization program.
While both city and HUD officials talked of the federal involvement as a partnership, the depth of HUD’s involvement made clear the extent of the housing department’s problems in Washington’s eyes. The agreement spells out a top-to-bottom effort to improve the department’s management, training, record keeping, organization and redesign of its programs and financial management. (Read more here)
Still while smiles were shared at City Hall about the announcement, there are still others in the city wondering when federal money might find them so they can fix issues still left over from Hurricane Ike. (See video)
Other related coverage:
HUD Experts To Redevelop Houston’s Housing Department (KUHF-Public Radio)