DeNucci Cites Deteriorating Conditions in Special Needs Public Housing Units - March 5, 2010

Joe DeNucci, State Auditor, News Release - On February 24, 2010, State Auditor Joe DeNucci reported that years of underfunding of operating and capital budgets have resulted in the deterioration of state-subsidized public housing units for people with special needs, depriving them of decent, safe, secure and sanitary housing.

During the audit period, there were 1,904 special needs housing units owned by 115 housing authorities across the state. Under this program, human service providers manage these units under contracts with various state agencies, including the Departments of Mental Health (DMH), Developmental Services (DDS), and Public Health (DPH). The providers make rent payments to the housing authorities and the state funding agencies pay an annual maintenance fee of $2,000, but the housing authorities are responsible for the cost of repairs.

DeNucci’s audit, which reviewed conditions of special needs units at 30 selected local housing authorities across Massachusetts, cited such health and safety problems as mold and mildew; rotted and damaged window frames and roofs; broken and missing floor and bathroom tiles, safety railings and cabinets; failing heating systems and boilers; animal infestation of units; and debris and shrubbery overgrowth in yard areas.

DeNucci commended the Patrick Administration and the Legislature for providing increased funding for housing authorities since his 2006 report that found many public housing units to be in serious disrepair. However, he noted that the current fiscal crisis has curtailed these funding increases, and housing authorities do not receive adequate rental income or annual maintenance fees to cover their operating and capital needs. Also contributing to the problem, according to DeNucci’s report, is an inefficient and cumbersome lease process that fails to clearly identify responsibility for proper upkeep and modernization of these public housing units.

“I recognize the serious fiscal problems we are facing at this time,” said DeNucci, “but I hope we can make this important program a priority. Vulnerable people with special needs deserve to live in safe, decent and sanitary units.”

The following local housing authorities were reviewed as part of DeNucci’s report: Amherst, Attleboro, Barnstable, Boston, Bourne, Brockton, Chelmsford, Cohasset, Dennis, Fall River, Fitchburg, Framingham, Grafton, Hingham, Hudson, Mansfield, Methuen, Milton, Needham, Norwell, Orleans, Plymouth, Quincy, Sandwich, Sharon, Somerville, Taunton, Waltham, Westfield and Worcester.