Return to DHC, Board of Commissioners
Live reporting by Heather Alder
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HUD’s Detroit field office director reported 7 of 19 DHC properties failed to meet HUD standards, meaning potentially 648 families live in units that are unsafe and/or unsanitary. And DHC is losing millions annually with a 78% occupancy rate that is among the nation’s lowest.

Heather P In The D!
Hello #Detroit !!This morning @10am I am covering DHC, Board of Commissioners meeting for @DetDocumenters & media partners: @BridgeDet313 @chalkbeatDET @freep @media_outlier @metrotimes @MichiganRadio @PlanetDetroit @wdet @wxyzdetroit .

12:52 AM Dec 19, 2024 CST

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Here is our #Detroit Housing Commission Board meeting agenda. dhcmi.org/sites/default/…
dhcmi.org/sites/default/…
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Here is their website information Bout the meeting and how to participate dhcmi.org/regular-board-…
dhcmi.org/regular-board-…
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Be back in a few! #goodnight
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Almost time! **************** IMPORTANT ::::If you believe anything in the coverage this morning is inaccurate, please email us at documenters@outliermedia.org with "Correction Request" in the subject line.
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Waiting for the zoom meeting to start.
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They have advised they will be stating shortly.
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Still waiting
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Meeting called to order
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HUD reps at meeting so they are moving the HUD Update info item before action items.
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HUD is there explaining the DHC went over their annual and reserve funding for vouchers. They are covering an additional $2mil for the shortfall-
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HUD Field Office Mr Gordon just advised the board they have developments that are below acceptable conditions- including Brewster,Douglas and they need to improve. Board advised they are very aware.
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HUD is also telling the board the leasing % is one of the lowest at 78% & it is causing them to lose funding…96% is HUD Goal- Cost $2.5 million last year, potentially $2.9 mil this year!
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HUD is advising the need to have an effective strategy to watch waivers of vacancies and improvements.
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@HUDgov is telling the board they are being looked at nationally- they are asking for the boards strategies. 76-78% occupancy for Detroit also hurts state average and funding.
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@HUDgov HUD is now telling the board about the late income recertifications…have reduced in the past year. Majority of them are on Voucher programs. They will be getting an audit on income recertification process. The agency falls in HUD’s “risk” list. “You have to address this”.
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@HUDgov HUD “we hold the management team responsible for the outcomes”. “You have that responsibility to impact your community “. “Understand your portfolio really well”. “Look at enforcement of your policies “.
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@HUDgov HUD has left the building! Next Public Comments for action items (Comm Seybert has joined)
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@HUDgov Miss Fields- Public Comment not on action items. No public comments on action items.
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@HUDgov 1st action item- International Union of Operating Engineers “memorandum of understanding “ gives -2% raise, an possibly an additional 3% more based on performance W/Local 324- Motion carried no opposition oe324.org
oe324.org
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@HUDgov Item-2 additional company to fill any gaps for heating and cooling with new company Comfort Mechanical Heating & Cooling (Ann Arbor based)- 3yr up to $250,000- for repair as needed. Advised Not the cheapest but value for the service and they have the “bandwidth”. Motion carried
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@HUDgov Item -3 to Renew commercial property insurance …policy has gone up over 8% and reduction to flood insurance. $1,300,226. Asking for no bid contract this year using HUD waiver. Approved with some discussion on coverages needed.
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@HUDgov action item 4- 2 contracts for trash pickup. Total $2,290,273 for 3 yrs- Approved. Into Information Items
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@HUDgov Residential Engagement update- most sites having elections in Jan for residential property leaders.
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@HUDgov Accounts receivable- Other departments have to do their part to decrease account delinquencies…income certifications, property maintenance, finance dept. Comm Seybert frustrated.
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@HUDgov $649,000 in bad debt expense. VP Cowan ? Does team who does work understand their impact on the whole? Exec Dir Jemison states he hopes they see that. Example the Union contract (which gives some raises on performance). “The alignment has to happen”- COO Tucker
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@HUDgov Departmental reports-
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@HUDgov Discussion so far mainly on issues HUD spoke on…income Recertifications…terminations thru death, or residents leave…filling leadership positions…Exec And Deputy Exec Directors advising board of achievements & progress & updates.
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@HUDgov Real estate Development - after HUD report, they advised the Brewster Modernization improvements are in the works.
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@HUDgov Still looking for Human Resource Director.
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@HUDgov Procurement- proud of their results- They are seeing significant savings.
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@HUDgov Public Comments
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@HUDgov Zachary Rowe Friends of Parkside President- Speaking on communities ongoing and fundraising.
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@HUDgov Online Miss Field is back- she ? Waiting list open- she and brother signed up 5 yrs ago- he is homeless at this time…not getting callbacks..? What is happening to people on wait list for years? They request to get her info and will callback to assist. They also provided her #
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@HUDgov Miss Sanders also from Friends of Parkside- providing more information of ongoing such as senior bingo, homework assistance, 22 Santa helpers to assist with gift giving. Computer classes 3x a eeek Mon, Tues & Thurs. Thanked the board
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@HUDgov No other public comments…commissioner comments.
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@HUDgov Christmas party was very nice per Commissioner Seybert. VP Cowan also enjoyed the party..
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@HUDgov VP Cowan “I am confident we will become a top tier property owner.” “On behalf of the board Happy Holidays”. …while still talking Comm Bailer looked to be acknowledged and was…to ? The dates of meetings and why it seems to change…advised is same except Nov and Dec. ADJORNED
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@HUDgov That concludes the live coverage today of the Detroit Housing Commission- Board of Commissioners Please follow @DetDocumenters and visit to learn more about our city happenings! detroit.documenters.org
detroit.documenters.org
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@HUDgov @DetDocumenters Again again again: **************** IMPORTANT ::::If you believe anything in the coverage this morning is inaccurate, please email us at documenters@outliermedia.org with "Correction Request" in the subject line.