HomeMy WebLinkAbout1983 Reading Housing Authority Annual ReportREADING HOUSING AUTHORITY
ANNUAL REPORT
1983
Following is a report of the Reading Housing Authority for the year 1
The Authority consists of a five - member Board, four elected by the vote:
of the Town and one appointed by the State. They meet on the second Monday of
each month, with the Annual Meeting in April. The Board currently is comprised
of the following members:
Chairman Richard S. Dempster
633 Summer Avenue
Vice - Chairman Leonard F. Westra
11 Copeland Avenue
Treasurer William F. Rand, Jr.
104 Belmont Street
Asst. Treasurer Patricia J. Swain
256 west Street
Asst. Secretary Philip R. White, Jr.
97 Prospect Street
Term Expires 1984
Term Expires 1988
Term Expires May 1
(State Appointment
Filling vacancy of
Frank J. Johnson,
Term Expires 1984
Term Expires 1985
At the Annual Meeting in April 1983, the above members, with the except on
of Mrs. Swain, were elected to their respective positions on the Board. Mrs. J et
Pierce was re- appointed Executive Director and therefore, Secretary of the Auth rity
in accordance with the By -Laws. At a joint meeting with the Board of Selectm n on
July 11, 1983, Mrs. Patricia Swain was appointed to replace Mr. Frank Johnson til
the next Town election in 1984. At the Authority's meeting in August 1983, Mr .
Swain was elected to the position of Assistant Treasurer.
The Authority administers an 80 -unit Housing for the Elderly Project, com-
pleted in 1970, at Frank D. Tanner Drive which is funded through the Commonwealth
of Massachusetts. To be eligible, a person must be 65 years of age or older, or in
the case of a couple, one party must be at least 65. The net income limit is $12,180
for a single person and $13,920 for a couple. The asset limit is $15,000.
The Authority also provides rental assistance with Federal funds through the
HUD Section 8 Program to 40 families and 27 elderly in scattered apartments through-
out the Town. This Program has been in effect since 1975 and the Authority recently
received an additional 15 units to assist those on the waiting list, increasing the
total number of units funded as of January 1, 1984, to 75. In conjuncion with his
Program, the Authority participates in the Section 8 Mobility Program with 77 other
communities, whereby each honors the certificate of another through a reciprocal
arrangement, giving an applicant more flexibility in finding suitable housing. In
order to be eligible for this Program, the gross annual income of families cannot
exceed the followings
One Person Two Persons Three Persons Four Persons Five Persons Si Persons
17,250 $19,700 $22,200 ` $2650 $26,200 7,700
OR
There is no asset limit for this Program, but the interest on any savings
must be added to the income of a participant, and that figure cannot exceed the
income level requirement. Financial statements showing the assets and liabilities
of each of the above named Programs are available for inspection at the Authority
office.
Mrs. Patricia Renzello is the Administrator of the Section 8 Program un er
the supervision of the Executive Director and the Authority.
In February 1983, papers were passed on the property at 74 Bancroft Avenue,
making the Reading Housing Authority owners for the purpose of renovating this
house to be a Community Residence for retarded adults, under the State's Chapter
689 Program. The Eastern Middlesex Association for Retarded Citizens (EMARC) All
be working along with the Authority for placement and supervision of the residents
of this home. At the present time, an Architect has been selected and plans are in
the final stages of review by the Executive Office of Communities & Development
(EOCD). It is expected that the Authority will be soliciting bids from Contractors
early in 1984.
In the Fall of 1983, the Authority made application to EOCD for funding
under the State's 707 Program for rental assistance in scattered sites in the T
It has always been the Authority's conviction that families of lower income are
best served through assistance in this manner, rather than in a project of some
type. In December, EOCD sent notification of their approval of an initial five
units. Funding is expected in early 1984.
The ongoing need for improvement and modernization of the Frank D. Tanr.
Drive Housing Project is of primary importance to the Authority, and this year,
application was made for certain energy conservation funds which became availat
to them through EOCD. The maximum allowed for the 80 -unit Project was awarded
work on the various conservation projects will begin early in 1984.
The Authority continues to cooperate with the Council on Aging and any
group serving the elderly in the Town by allowing the use of the Frank D. Tann
Drive Recreation Hall for their various social and educational programs.
The Reading Housing Authority feels that the year 1983 was one of continuing
progress toward meeting the various housing needs in the Town of Reading.
Respectfully s 'tted,
Janet Pierce, Executive Dire for
and Secre