WASHINGTON – (RealEstateRama) — The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today announced that it is returning the Housing Authority of the City of Lafayette (HACL) to local control, five years after HUD assumed day-to-day administration of the once-troubled agency. HUD took over operational control of the HACL in March of 2011 for substantial default of the agency’s obligations including financial mismanagement, misuse of funds, and a lack of leadership.
“Today is a significant milestone for Lafayette as this housing authority transitions back to local control,” said Lourdes Castro-Ramirez, HUD’S Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian Housing. “After five years of hard work and collaboration, we’re turning a new page today at the Housing Authority of the City of Lafayette. While there are so many people who made today possible, I want to especially thank HACL’s residents for their cooperation and patience during this turnaround.”
Mayor Robideaux said. “Following years of mismanagement and substandard housing for residents, HACL has reemerged and once again is focused to perform its mission. This has been a long time coming, but the people of Lafayette are ready to once again lead HACL.”
During the five years of HUD’s control, HACL worked with its employees, residents and the city to correct long-standing deficiencies and comply with the terms of its Annual Contributions Contract (ACC) with HUD including:
- Hiring a full-time Executive Director;
- Stabilizing its financial management;
- Making improvements to the housing stock;
- Increasing its Section 8 leasing by more than 200 families;
- Appointing a new Board of Commissioners with the expertise and training to effectively set policy;
- Moving to an asset management approach to managing its properties;
- Creating a new Resident Council; and
- Partnering with other housing providers in the Lafayette area.
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HUD’s mission is to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all.
More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet
at www.hud.gov and http://espanol.hud.gov.
You can also connect with HUD on social media and follow Secretary Castro on
Twitter and Facebook or sign up for news alerts on HUD’s Email List.
Scott Hudman
713-718-3107
http://www.hud.gov/news/index.cfm
