ARHA, Council Discuss Housing Options

(Friday) April 9, 2010

By James Cullum and Carla Branch
alexandrianews.org

VOICE protesters at the ARHA meeting (Photo: James Cullum)

At least once a year, the Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority Board and the Alexandria City Council meet to discuss the city’s public housing. Although last night’s meeting was scheduled months ago, one of the main topics was concerns about the relocation of James Bland residents due to redevelopment.

Martin Trimble is an organizer with Virginians Organized for Interfaith Community Engagement.  “This is a farce,” he said of the meeting. “This has not been a fair process. How can you believe things will change in the next phase?”

According to the VOICE website: “The first phase of the relocation included moving 32 families outright, with an additional 20 families downsized to smaller units. Despite the expectations conveyed by ARHA, the timeline for the move was poorly implemented rushing some residents out with as little as 72 hours to get their new keys and complete their move, under threat of eviction. Others have not been reimbursed for their costs and some were even charged additional fees.”

When completed, James Bland will be a community of public and market-rate housing, much like Chatham Square.

Alexandria Mayor Bill Euille said that ARHA’s relocation of the residents was bad timing. “It is desired that whatever the problems in Phase I, that these problems are completely minimized or removed,” Euille said. “What troubled me is why is this was happening over the holidays. It didn’t seem fair or reasonable.”

City Councilwoman Del Pepper agreed. “Three days notice, even if you know you’re moving, you really have to have more notice than that,” she said.

ARHA staff and Board Members at the joint work session Thursday night. (Photo: James Cullum)

ARHA Executive Director Roy Priest said that 120, 90, 60 and 30 day notices were mailed to residents telling them they were going to be relocated. “But not for transfers,” Priest said. “Persuant for our lease, we have a three-day notice for transfers. When tenants sign their leases they know that…They might not have known the exact date they were going to move, but we didn’t know the exact dates the units would be ready for us.”

The initial 120 Day Notice was issued on September 1, 2009. Eighty-seven percent of the households completed their relocation prior to the week of Christmas and the final household left the property on January 4, 2010, with ARHA assistance. ARHA spent $33,192 to relocate all of the households.

“When we issued the 120 day notice, it was after the tax credits had been awarded for the construction” of Bland, Priest said. “We had to have the property vacated.”

Hattie Thomas, a James Bland resident, moved from a three bedroom home at James Bland to a three bedroom in the nearby Andrew Atkins complex on Dec. 7, 2009, according to ARHA documents, and was paid a relocation allowance. She chose to arrange her own move. “I’m thinking Phase II is going to be a lot of chaos,” she said. “I got my new address at the last minute… There are two [ARHA] placements specialists on staff. He [Priest] said there are more, new staff. I want to know who they are. I had to leave my job to find them and talk to them.”

According to court documents, ARHA obtained a judgment against Thomas on March 18, 2010, for no payment of rent. The court issued a Writ of Eviction on April 5.

Phase I of the Bland redevelopment is complete and the tax credit application for Phase II was just filed. Phase II is expected to begin this fall.

ARHA/Council Working Relationship

Alexandria Vice Mayor Kerry Donley and Council members Rob Krupicka and Paul Smedberg at the joint work session. (Photo: James Cullum)

In March, 2008, the ARHA Board and Council signed a memorandum of understanding outlining parameters for the City and ARHA’s continued working relationship. Since then, the mayor and the chair of the ARHA Board have met as needed to discuss issues.

“From my point of view, things between us have been going fine as they relate to the memorandum of understanding,” said ARHA Board Chair Melvin Miller.

Council members, too, had words of praise for ARHA Executive Director Roy Priest. “He is doing a good job and has made some significant improvements at ARHA,” said Councilman Paul Smedberg.

The MOU calls for the development of a long-term strategic plan for ARHA, including but not limited to operations and capital assets for all ARHA properties. Any future capital grants or loans to ARHA would be considered in the context of this strategic plan.  That process is ongoing.

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