×

Jefferson housing authority continues response to federal HUD audit

Steubenville Police Sgt. Joe Buchmelter now is working as part-time director of security for the Jefferson Metropolitan Housing Authority. Buchmelter chatted with John F. Kennedy Apartment Building residents’ council representatives Liz Smith and Mike Zorne to plan a meeting with the apartment building residents at 1 p.m. on Nov. 12. Buchmelter said he plans to meet with residents of all JMHA building.— Dave Gossett

STEUBENVILLE — Jefferson Metropolitan Housing Authority Executive Director Debbie Bailey said Wednesday she is close to completing a formal response to a U.S. Housing and Urban Development Inspector General audit of the local housing authority.

Bailey told the JMHA board of commissioners she will be sending more documents requested by the HUD officials this week and will wait for a decision by HUD on what penalties JMHA may face.

The HUD audit released in August recommended the housing authority reimburse the federal agency $964,000 from nonfederal funds for unsupported procurement and contracting activities.

“The authority is at risk of defaulting on its nearly $6 million energy conservation loan, thus potentially encumbering public housing properties,” cited the audit report released on Aug. 3.

“As I said before, some of the documents had been moved in the past and we had to search for them. But I believe we now have all of the documentation needed for HUD. Once they review our information, I will wait to see what they want us to do,” stated Bailey following the JMHA monthly meeting.

According to the audit, “The authority failed to maintain adequate documentation to support its procurements and ensure there were no real or apparent conflicts of interest in its contracting process. Additionally, it failed to achieve the expected savings on its energy improvements. These weaknesses occurred because the authority lacked adequate procedures and controls to ensure it complied with HUD’s and its own procurement requirements and a sufficient understanding of HUD’s requirements for the administration of its energy contract.”

In other business during the meeting, the board approved a two-year $80,000 contract for Bailey to serve as executive director effective Oct. 1.

Bailey was appointed interim executive director by the board members at the July 27 meeting.

Bailey introduced Steubenville Police Sgt. Joe Buchmelter, who will serve as part-time director of security for the housing authority.

“Before taking this job I spoke to police Chief Bill McCafferty, Jefferson County Sheriff Fred Abdalla and Steubenville City Manager Jim Mavromatis and I have their full support. This is a part-time job but I am fully committed. So far we have arrested one person for trespassing and issued a warrant for another person for trespassing. We found several people from Chicago illegally sub-leasing a JMHA apartment in the North End and got them out,” said Buchmelter.

“I am reviewing all security cameras in the JMHA system. We are off to a good start. And I will start meeting with JMHA residents in November,” added Buchmelter.

“We will get you more help as soon as finances are available,” board member Gerald DiLoreto announced.

“I have several good people I can bring in when they are needed,” responded Buchmelter.

Local landlord Paul Andreozzi told the board members they need to accept responsibility for tenants who move out of JMHA-owned housing.

“It is your duty to see what the tenants are leaving behind when they move out. I have people picking up garbage on the hilltops, and you are responsible, too,” said Andreozzi, who said he owns rental property in the LaBelle and Pleasant Heights neighborhoods.

The commissioners agreed to meet with the JFK Apartment building residents’ council officers prior to the Nov. 16 board meeting.

(Gossett can be contacted at dgossett@heraldstaronline.com.)

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *

COMMENTS

Starting at $4.73/week.

Subscribe Today