On August 16th, LOFTE has a successful follow up meeting with HUD to discuss progress on issues previously brought to HUD's attention. Tenants and organizers across the country presented these issues and where able to get some commitments including:
- Progress on notifying owners soon that the 6 month bank statement requirement has been reduced to one month, but will definitely be in effect by January 1, 2025
- Major commitments to address Substandard Housing, including:
- Georgia King Village in Newark—REAC score of 22, HUD forcing repairs and a likely sale
- St. Mary's Villa, Newark —HUD will investigate substandard conditions and intimidation, tenants can be present
- Queen Esther, Baltimore—new REAC inspection set for August 20. HUD will follow up with any substandard units ID'd by BRU
- Auxora Arms, Little Rock—Notice of Violation on May 15, HUD will reinspect after September 18, move to enforcement options with tenant input, if second REAC score fails
- Eastview Terrace, Little Rock—HUD will schedule a REAC inspection
- Shorter College Gardens, North Little Rock—HUD conducted MOR in June, substandard score. New company hired to replace Millennium Management
- Jefferson Manor—Wells Fargo has foreclosed on Apex—HUD will schedule new REAC inspection once foreclosure is settled
- HUD will investigate failed mailboxes at Jefferson and Shorter College
- Bullying in HUD Multifamily Housing
- HUD invites complaints to Office of Housing and FHEO
- HUD will expand Call Center referrals to FHEO and Multifamily enforcement
- Strengthen Performance Based Contract Administrators
- HUD looking to 're-set' relationship with PBCAs, will ensure that Reminder Notices and training of PBCAs re: tenants' rights are on the agenda when new contracts issued
- New Tenants Rights Brochure with contact info for PBCAs will be posted soon on HUD's Drafting Table for public comment
- HUD welcomes additional comments re: tenants' rights from LOFTE Network groups, since most comments they receive are from PBCAs
- Strengthen Management and Occupancy Review
- HUD has received and will consider LOFTE's national tenant recommendations for MOR Reform to revamp HUD Form 9834, Questionnaire for MOR Reviews
- This will occur after HOTMA rules are final, at end of 2024
- Training Materials for HOTMA Changes
It was great to see HUD interested in dealing with these issues. Many of the issues presented were already in progress of being dealt with which was good news to the tenants who live in these buildings and the organizers who work in these buildings. For other issues LOFTE members who presented were asked by HUD to follow up with more details or specific information so the issue could be addressed. LOFTE looks forward to the continued dialogue with HUD.
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