Letter to Ben Carson, Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development - Grant 6-month Extension So Geneva Housing Authority Can Renovate Units & Provide Desperately Needed Housing for Seniors & Low Income Families

Letter

I write in support of Geneva Housing Authority's (GHA) request to appeal the 30-day deadline on submitting a RAD Financing Plan. I urge you to review and approve the 6-month extension requested by Geneva Housing Authority in the letter sent to the Department of Housing and Urban Development on March 27th, 2016.

The Geneva Housing Authority is responsible for 248 public housing units in Geneva, New York, and is in desperate need of additional funding to maintain these units. The housing authority has invested over $120,000 in preparation to apply for the RAD program, which would allow for private financing of much needed capital improvements to GHA's properties. In Geneva, the housing authority has been developing conversion plans for two properties, Elmcrest and Courtyard Apartments, that have been in existence for over four decades. The housing authority will be able to use these dollars to cater to pressing issues, such as asbestos cleanup and underground infrastructure needs. Additionally, the funding that will be available through participation in the RAD program will allow GHA to meet the millions needed in renovations. These improvements are essential to providing a quality and healthy living environment to both seniors and low-income families that call these complexes home. By HUD granting this extension, GHA will have a clear pathway to provide the living standards that have been promised and are vital to the lives of residents.

After a request from HFA staff, GHA is working diligently to redesign financing plans to be cost effective. Currently GHA is waiting on the release of the 2017-2018 New York State budget, which will include funding for public housing. Additionally, the requested extension would allow the housing authority enough time to apply for the Low Income Housing Tax Credits. Once this information is available, GHA will be able to resubmit a financing plan to HFA.

As is evident from continuous communication, the Geneva Housing Authority is committed to ensuring that the proper documentation is completed in a timely manner. With the HUD imposed deadline rapidly approaching, it is critical that GHA obtain an extension to complete this portion of the RAD transaction. Therefore, I urge HUD to review and approve GHA's request for a 6- month extension. Thank you for your consideration of this request and your immediate attention to this matter. Should you have any additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact my office.

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