HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996 Reading Housing Authority Annual ReportReading Housing Authority
1996 ANNUAL REPORT
Since its incorporation in 1963, the Reading Housing Authority has increasingly provided various housing
opportunities within the community for persons of low and moderate income. In conjunction with the Reading
Housing Partnership, a lottery for first time homebuyers for units at Summit Village was conducted during th Is past
year. This program was made possible through the cooperative efforts of the Town of Reading and its Zoning By-
laws. Under the PRD -M Zoning By -law, the developer of Summit Village was required to provide 10% of the
units as "affordable ". These affordable units are indistinguishable and equal in size, quality and appointments to
the market rate units. First time homebuyers were able to purchase these condominium units at a reduced cost.
The required "Deed Restriction" that obligates the affordable purchaser to resell their unit at a reduction of 20%
of fair market value (equal to the reduction at which they purchased) will assure that these units remain aff dable
for subsequent purchasers. Occupancy of this development has already commenced. At year end, four bu ldings
were complete; construction closeout for the entire project is anticipated to be in September 1997. The Authority
and Partnership were very pleased with the results of this program. Both Boards are working with the Town to
develop other creative housing solutions to provide opportunities for low and moderate income families to live in
the community.
Another exciting housing program was the transformation of the old Pearl Street School into an.
Living Facility. This facility is not a nursing home, but provides a separate apartment with meals, sect
assistance to elderly persons who are too frail to remain independent at home. With the opening of this
18 (20 %) of the units have been set -aside for Medicaid - eligible recipients. The Housing Authority has wor
the developer to assure that priority be given to eligible and qualified Reading residents. Full occupanc
facility is anticipated in early 1997. In its efforts to seek a continuum of housing options for elders, the .A
is working to create opportunities for adult day care and more assisted living units for seniors.
Currently, the Authority manages 84 elderly/handicapped units; 18 family units; 8 special r
and two rental assistance programs: 5 State MRVP and 105 Federal Section 8 certificates and vouchers
a definite need for available rental units within the community. The Authority is seeking available 2
3 bedroom and 4 bedroom units for qualified certificate/voucher holders. We ask that anyone in1
learning more about these programs contact the Authority's office to discuss the particulars of the
with you.
The Authority takes seriously its commitment to provide equal housing opportunities within the con
and is currently working with area banks, State/Federal agencies and Town officials to create and iml
programs that will help people of all income levels to find appropriate housing within the Town of Readii
work that has been accomplished over the past year has provided new and unique housing opportunities wi
community. The continued cooperation of the Board of Selectmen, the Reading Housing Partners:
Community Planning and Development Commission and other Town, State and Federal agencies will help t
the creation of more housing options within the Town. The Authority commends the Executive Director
staff for their efforts in achieving these accomplishments.
Respectfully submitted,
READING HOUSING AUTHORITY
Rev. Robert K. Sweet, Jr. - Chairman
Donald Allen - Vice - Chairman and State Appointee
Jean H. Galvin - Treasurer
Mary Connors - Assistant Treasurer
Timothy Kelley - Member
Margaret K. Plansky - Secretary and Executive Director
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READING HOUSING AUTHORITY
Minutes of the Meeting of December 9, 1996
A regular Board meeting of the Reading Housing Authority was held on Monday, December 9,
1996, at the office of the Authority, 22 Frank D. Tanner Drive in the Town of Reading,
Massachusetts. The Chairman, Mr. Sweet, called the meeting to order at 7:30 P.M. Those
members present and forming a quorum were: Mr. Allen, Ms. Galvin, Ms. Connors and Mr.
Kelley. Ms. Plansky, the Executive Director, was also in attendance. Mr. John Coote, Meml
of the Reading Housing Partnership and Zoning Board of Appeals, joined the Board later in t
meeting.
Mnutes
Upon a motion duly made by Ms. Connors and seconded by Mr. Kelley, it was unanimously
VOTED: To accept for the record the Minutes of the Regular Business Meeting of November
1996, as presented.
The Chairman then declared said motion carried and said vote in effect.
Finances
Upon a motion duly made by Ms. Connors and seconded by Ms. Galvin, it was unanimously
VOTED: To approve and sign the checkroll/billroll for the period for Accounts Payable Chec
#3109 -3180; Payroll Check #1182 -1209; Section 8 Certificate Program #3399 -3453; Section
Voucher Program #1539 -1558; and Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program #498 -503 as
presented.
The Chairman then declared said motion carried and said vote in effec'.
Contputer Maintenance and Networking
Upon a motion duly made by Mr. Allen and seconded by Ms. Galvin, it was unanimously
VOTED: To ratify the expenditure for computer maintenance and networking for an additio
$720 in addition to the previously approved $1200 in order to get the system up and running
correctly after the motherboard failed.
The Chairman then declared said motion carried and said vote in effect.
Reading Mousing Partnership - Proposed Zoning Change
Mr. Coote of the Reading Housing Partnership and Zoning Board of Appeals member revie
the current zoning by -law for accessory apartments and its application. In order to have an
accessory apartment, the unit must be contained within the principal residence. With 50 c.
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Minutes
12/9/96
houses /outbuildings in Reading, there is not currently any avenue to provide housing in these out
structures. There is a critical need for affordable housing within the Town. Mr. Coote thought
that this might be an avenue to explore and perhaps incorporate into the "accessory apartment"
zoning by -law. This might be able to be tied in with low /moderate income rentals.
The Board suggested that a survey of the current owners be taken to determine if there is a need
for such a by -law change; how many would be interested; see how many illegal apartments exist;
how to legalize them; how many renters would be affected.
The Board thanked Mr. Coote for coming. At 8:30 P.M., the Board resumed discussion of the
agenda items.
Sexual Harassment Po!kX
Upon a motion duly made by Mr. Kelley and seconded by Ms. Connors, it was unanimously
VOTED: To adopt the Sexual Harassment Policy for the Reading Housing Authority as
presented.
The Chairman then declared said motion carried and said vote in effect.
Report of Programs
Parker Place - 4 BR unit was finally filled last week after we opened the waiting list for the
second time.
Section 8 Program - Spoke with Ms. Hooley from HUD, who said the RHA would not be
penalized the 10% reduction in their earned administrative fee as we have submitted proof that
our 50058 forms were reported as required. This will be reviewed again 4/1/97 and if there is -
still some problem with our reporting mechanism, we may incur a penalty at that time. -
Summit Village - The 3BR list has been depleted. Does the RHA want to exercise its rights to
purchase this unit? We have contacted Drew Dolben in this regard. We should be passing on
our 2BR unit at the end of December 1996.
Assisted Living Facility
As per the request from the Chairman to Longwood at their meeting at Longwood Place in
Reading in November 1996, the statistics for occupancy were provided. The Chairman requested
that the Executive Director send a follow -up letter requesting the number of GAFC Reading
residents and the length of time that these GAFC client were Reading residents, as discussed in
the meeting. The Board deferred any action on Mr. Casper's request regarding the GAFC cli,
as per the existing Agreement (If at least 9 of the GAFC clients are not Reading residents,
Longwood would activate Section 8 assistance to service Reading residents who are over the
$6900 GAFC limit). This matter will be put on the agenda when the information is received
from Longwood.
Meeting Schedule for 1997
The next Board meeting is scheduled for January 6, 1997.
There being no further business before-the Board, it was unanimously voted to adjourn at
9:45 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Margaret . Plansky, Secretary
and Executive Director