Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1992-1993 Reading Housing Authority Annual ReportSING4 1963 y 1' ell 22 Frank D. Tanner Drive • Reading, MA 01867 - 2399.617 -944 -6755 1992 -1993 ANNUAL REPORT The Reading Housing Authority continues its successful operation of low- income housing with 80 units of elderly /handicapped housing at Frank D. Tanner Drive; 10 units of family housing: 6 at Waverly/Oakland Roads and 4 at Parker /Pleasant Streets; 8 units of Housing for People with Special Needs at Bancroft Avenue; 114 units of rental assistance located in private residence throughout the community and supported by contracts with HUD's Section 8 Program and the new program operated by the State, called the Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (MRVP). The Reading Housing Authority is a member of a 5 -Town consortium comprised of Melrose, Reading, Saugus, Wakefield and Winchester Housing Authorities and HUD has recently awarded 100 vouchers to these communities for the new "Family Self- Sufficiency (FSS) Program ". This new program is designed to coordinate housing and the necessary social service components which would enable families to be free of all governmental subsidy within 5 -7 years. There is a Program Coordinating Committee with members from the five communities which will provide the necessary education, job training, counseling, parenting and other social services necessary for the head of the household to become fully employed end eventually self- sufficient. Ms. Barbara Zenn Rediker, LICSW, is the new Program Coordinator. Ms. Rediker will schedule an 8 -step pro ram for each participating family and will coordinate the program wit each housing authority Executive Director. It is an exciting opportunity for families to obtain skills, job training and employment. The rrovision for the establishment of an escrow account will allow a portion of the family's increased rent to be set aside an to be used as an eventual downpayment on a dwelling of their own. The orientation meeting for families from the current waiting list of the 5 -Town consortium w'll be held in early 1993 and will commence the program. The news of the FSS Program is exciting, but there were several problems due to the deflated State economy and the revamping of the former State 707 rental certificate program to the new MRVP voucher system. The State has tried to provide a "safety net" to those participants who lost their housing assistance because of the lower qualifying income levels. The Reading Housing Authority lost 2 certificates initially; 1 of which was reissued when the State established rev sed income limits to qualify for the MRVP voucher. Along with the es ablishment of the MRVP, the State has increased the percentage of income tha current conventional housing tenants pay for rent. This was in a two step process, which helped to alleviate the impact of the inc ease. The new rent calculation is based on 30% of net income for rent where the tenant does not pay for utilities, and 27% of income where the tenant pays for their utilities. This brings the State guideline more in line with the Federal assistance programs. Equal Housing Opportunity TDD 617 -944 -9710 Reading Housing Authority Page 2 Annual Report 92/93 The newly - elected officers of the Authority for the upcoming year are: Chairman - Willliam E. McIsaac Vice - Chairman - Reverend Robert K.'Sweet, Jr. Treasurer - Arthur J. Reynolds, Jr. Assistant Treasurer - Donald Allen Member - Jean H. Galvin Secretary and Executive Director - Margaret K. Plansky The recreation hall at Tanner Drive is still being used by the Ce Oil Painting, Dance and Exercise classes sponsored by Reading Eld ics, Department; weekly music by Downeast Revival every Wednesday I night � (all welcome); and monthly social functions for Tannerville Club and Reading Singles Club as well as the annual Daughters of the American Revolution Dinner and the Mystic Valley Elder Services Annual Breakfast Meeting. The Authority is still working with banks and developers in association with the "linkage" units required for both the Greenhouse Acres an Schoolhouse developments. The Authority is very actively investigating opportunities for first -time homebuyer programs and the establishment of a non - profit agency to develop this type of housing. The effect of the current economy on our State's population and their housing requirements, during .a period of decreased funding and increased regulation, has kept the Board and staff busy seeking new and innovative housing opportunties. The focus for the upcoming year is to work with the local authorities, banks, developers and townspeople to bring about a greater diversification of housing opportunties within the community. The commitment of the Board and staff is to provide access within the Town to diverse populations, while still maintaining the atmosphere of the Reading community. We look forward to meeting t is- challenge. Respectfully submitted, William E. McIsaac, Chair READING HOUSING AUTHORITY c T7r z E741 1 V1 j�! 417 mm I I A 22 Frank D. Tanner Drive • Reading, MA 01867 - 2399.617- 944 -6755 1992 -1993 ANNUAL REPORT The Reading Housing Authority is happy to announce that it has recently acquired three (3) additional units of family housing on Main Street. With this new acquisition the Authority curren� operates 241 units of low- income housing: 80 units of elderly/ handicapped housing at Frank D. Tanner Drive; 13 units of famil, housing: 6 at Waverly /Oakland Road, 4 at Parker /Pleasant Stree and 3 at Summer /Main Street; 8 units of Housing for People with Special Needs at Bancroft Avenue; 4 elderly units at Schoolhous( condos; 136 rental assistance certificates and vouchers, which house people in private residences throughout the community and are supported by contracts through HUD's Section 8 Program and the Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (MRVP). Ily S, The Reading Housing Authority, as a member of a 4 -Town consortium comprised of Melrose, Reading, Saugus, and Wakefield Housing Authorities is a forerunner in the Federal government's restructuring of the entitlement system. With the award of 100 vouchers from HUD, the four communities under the "Family Self- Sufficiency (FSS) Program" are working with governmental agencies, school systems, daycare providers and local business groups to coordinate housing, daycare, education, training and the necessary social service components which would enable families to become fully employed and not dependent on welfare assistance within 5 -7 years. Ms. Barbara Zenn Rediker, LICSW, is the Program Coordinator that is working with community leaders for the necessary training, education, daycare and other support services necessary to enable families to achieve self - sufficiency. The FSS orientation sessions were held in March 1993 and the program is operational with over 16 families enrolled in the program and over 40 more in process. In order to insure its success locally, Ms. Rediker will be speaking with local groups and civic organizations to enlighten them about the program and how they can help in this new and exciting reform program. The Board of Selectmen and the Housing Authority Board members have been working together on the inclusionary zoning for both the Pearl Street School and the Bear Hill sites. Although in preliminary stages, the Authority is excited about the new and varied housing opportunities that are possible with these linkage programs. The Board of Selectmen has promised their full support to the Authority as they negotiate with the developers for the mandated "inclusionary" housing units. 112 Equal Housing Opportunity TDD 617- 944 -9710 Reading Housing Authority Page 2 Annual Report 92/93 NJ The recreation hall at Tanner Drive is still being used by the Oil Painting, Dance and Exercise classes sponsored by Reading Elder Services; Blood Pressure and Flu Clinics sponsored by Reading Health Department; weekly music by Downeast Revival every Wednesday night (all welcome); monthly music with Roaring Jelly, playing square and contra dance tunes, every second Tues4 of the month (all welcome); monthly social functions for Tanner' Club and Reading Singles Club; the annual Daughters of the American Revolution Dinner and the Mystic Valley Elder Services Annual Breakfast Meeting. The current officers of the Reading Housing Authority are: Chairman - William E. McIsaac Vice - Chairman - Rev. Robert K. Sweet, Jr. Treasurer - Arthur J. Reynolds, Jr. Assistant Treasurer - Donald Allen (State Appointee) Member - Jean H. Galvin Secretary and Executive Director - Margaret K. Plansky The Board and staff have been busy working on new and innovativ( housing opportunties. The focus for the upcoming year is to work with the local authorities, banks, developers and townspeol to assure access and a greater diversification of housing oppor1 within the community for people of all income levels. This commitment of the Authority will provide and protect equal acce; to developments within the Town to diverse populations, while still maintaining the small town atmosphere of the Reading commi We look forward to meeting this challenge. ay ville Respectfully submitted, William E. McIsaac, Chairman READING HOUSING AUTHORITY le unties s ity.