SPRINGFIELD — The low rating given to the Springfield Housing Authority from its most recent audit by the Department of Housing and Urban Development was not unexpected Denise Jordan, the executive director of the agency, told Reminder Publishing.
The low score came from the fact that SHA has been unable to adequately report statistics to HUD because of software issues. Jordan said HUD was aware of this issue and has been assisting SHA in correcting the situation with new software.
Jordan informed HUD of the software problems in January. She added SHA is now catching up on its reporting.
Jordan said to Reminder Publishing, the score reflects issues with “software, not management.”
On July 26, Mayor Domenic Sarno issued a letter to Jordan demanding an explanation within 14 days. He also issued a press release on the same day that stated, “Late yesterday afternoon, Mayor Domenic J. Sarno received notice of a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development audit report on the Springfield Housing Authority. In the report, the SHA received a failing grade of 53 out of 100.
“This news is both shocking and troubling. I am deeply concerned and have communicated to the SHA Executive Director and Board of Commissioners that on behalf of the tenants and our residents, the city of Springfield needs answers. We must protect the integrity and the ability of the SHA to provide adequate housing for our most vulnerable and needy citizens. I will accept nothing less.
“In addition, I call on the SHA Board of Commissioners to conduct a thorough review of this situation and report to me in writing their findings withing 14 days. I assure you; I will take every action necessary within my authority to ensure that the SHA is operating in a professional, efficient and legal manner in accordance with all the regulations and laws of HUD and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.”
Molly Shea, Sarno’s communications director, confirmed on July 29 to Reminder Publishing that Jordan did send an email to the mayor in response to the issue. She did not say what the email contained nor did she say if Sarno was satisfied with the response.
According to its website, SHA has a total of 2,397 traditional housing units at 27 sites throughout the city, 240 Massachusetts Rental Vouchers, and 2,733 Housing Choice Vouchers.
It’s independent of city control with four of its five-person Board of Commissioners appointed by the mayor and the City Council and the other appointed by the governor. One commissioner must be a SHA tenant. The executive director reports to the board.
Its $33 million annual budget comes from rental income and funding from both the Department of Housing and Community Development and HUD.
Jordan became the executive director in 2018 and had served 10 years as Sarno’s chief of staff for 10 years.
