Early Closure

HRA will close at 12:00PM on Friday, December 9th.

2012 Schedule of Meetings

Proposed dates for 2012 HRA Board Meetings

Location: HRA Office 42 Canal Road

(knock on recessed door along canal for entry)

Turners Falls, MA

Time: 6:00 P.M.

Meetings of the Board of Commissioners of the HRA are typically held on the first Monday of every month, exceptions are noted below.  The Finance Committee typically meets at 5:00 pm preceding Board meetings; knock on first door along canal for entry. All meetings are open to the public.

January 9, 2012*

February 6, 2012

March 5, 2012

April 2, 2012

May 7, 2012

June 4, 2012

July 9, 2012*

August 6, 2012

September 10, 2012*

October 1, 2012 (Annual and Regular Meetings)

November 5, 2012

December 3, 2012

*Please note that this meeting is scheduled for the second Monday of the month

HRA Board of Commissioners Meeting 12/05/2011

HRA Board of Commissioners
**REVISED**

Regular Meeting

December 5, 2011 at 6:00 P.M.

Finance Committee will meet at 5:00P.M.

HRA Office - 42 Canal Road, Turners Falls, MA

1.      Convene- Roll call and introduction of guests

2.      Topics for discussion and possible action:

a.      Approve minutes of the November 14, 2011 regular meeting

b.      Release and make of public record the minutes of the executive session of the HRA Board of Commissioners held on October 20, 2010

c.      Release and make of public record the minutes of the executive session of the HRA Board of Commissioners held on November 1, 2010

d.      Release and make of public record the minutes of the executive session of the HRA Board of Commissioners held on November 8, 2010

e.      Release and make of public record the minutes of the executive session of the HRA Board of Commissioners held on November 18, 2010

f.        Acknowledge receipt of accounts payable warrant for November 2011

g.      Review and approve Chapter 7 of the Section 8 Administrative Plan

h.      Approve the use of new income limits as published by HUD

i.         Award a contract for the installation of low-flow toilets

j.         Award a contract for auditing services

k.       Review and approve a revised job description for the Director of Finance

l.         Appoint the Executive Director as interim unit treasurer for the Franklin Regional Retirement System

m.    Complete budget and Executive Director salary certification paperwork at the request of DHCD

n.      Authorize Leslie Brown, as Treasurer, to sign checks on behalf of the agency

o.      Receive finance report

p.      Receive update on Ashfield House

q.      Receive update on the Wisdom Way Solar Village

3.      Executive Director’s Report to the Board of Commissioners

4.      Staff Reports to be distributed to commissioners in advance of the meeting

This agenda was prepared by: Robin Sherman, Executive Director

HRA Board of Commissioners, Regular Meeting, 11/14/11 @ 6pm

HRA Board of Commissioners

Regular Meeting

November 14, 2011 at 6:00 P.M.

HRA Office - 42 Canal Road, Turners Falls, MA

1.     Convene- Roll call and introduction of guests

2.     Minutes of the September 27, 2011 Nominating Committee meeting and October 3, 2011 regular and annual meetings for review and approval

3.     Staff Reports to be distributed to commissioners in advance of the meeting

4.     Topics for discussion and possible action:

a.      Acknowledge receipt of accounts payable warrant for October 2011

b.      Approve Chapter 6 of the Housing Choice Voucher Program Administrative
   Plan

c.      Approve SEMAP certification report

d.      Review and approve revised FSS Program Action Plan.

e.      Discuss status of Request for Proposals for Project-Based Vouchers

f.       Discuss and vote on early retirement initiative

g.      Acknowledge receipt of FY 2012 Final Fair Market Rents for Existing Housing

h.      Complete budget and Executive Director salary certification paperwork at 
    the request of DHCD

i.       Accept price proposal submitted by Sandri’s for delivery of propane

j.       Approve FCRHRA Cell Phone Policy

k.      Approve and execute a contract amendment for Work Plan 1023 (furnace
   replacement at Charlemont family housing).

l.       Receive update on Ashfield House

m.     Receive a report from the Executive Director

This agenda was prepared by:

               Robin Sherman, Executive Director

Public Notice

The Franklin County Housing & Redevelopment Authority (HRA) is pleased to announce the availability of up to 45 Housing Choice Vouchers (HCVs) allocated for Project Based Rental Assistance (PBA) for existing and rehabilitated housing.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), which provides funding for the HCV program, defines existing housing as that which requires less than $1,000 per unit of work in order to meet HUD’s Housing Quality Standards (HQS). PBA is limited to 25% of the units in a building unless the building has four units or less, or the units are excepted units in a multifamily building because they are specifically made available for elderly or disabled families or families receiving supportive services. PBA units must be located in census tracts with less than 20% poverty according to the most recent U.S. Census. HUD is permitted to grant exceptions to this requirement for compelling reasons. Contract authority may be provided for up to a maximum of fifteen years, subject to annual appropriations. Note: Payments under any contract are subject to future availability of appropriations and future availability of funding under the contract.

In order for currently occupied apartments to be included in this PB HCV program, the apartments must meet Housing Quality Standards (HQS) and the current tenant must apply and be determined eligible for a HCV Subsidy.  An occupied apartment will be accepted only if the current tenant is deemed eligible.  In addition, when a PB HCV apartment becomes vacant, the HRA will pay the full lease rent for the vacant apartment for a period of up to 15 days or until the apartment is rented, which ever comes first.  Note: Such payments may only be made if the vacancy is not the fault of the owner, and the owner takes every reasonable action to minimize the likelihood and extent of vacancies.

Interested owners must submit an application form. Applications will be accepted until 4:30 pm on or before Friday December 14, 2011, at the HRA office.  Applications should be addressed as follows:  Attn: PBA Assistance, HRA, 42 Canal Road, Turners Falls, MA 01376.  Only completed applications submitted in response to this notice will be considered for selection.  To obtain an application, please call 413-863-9781, extension 100 or click here.

HRA will rank each application based upon the following criteria: experience as an owner in the tenant-based voucher program and owner compliance with the owner’s obligations under the tenant-based program;  extent to which the project furthers the HRA goal of deconcentrating poverty and expanding housing and economic opportunities; if applicable, extent to which services for special populations are provided on site or in the immediate area for occupants of the property; extent to which existing units are currently occupied by families that are eligible to participate in the PBV program; site visit/inspection to determine the condition of the property and compliance with HQS; readiness to proceed; site and neighborhood standards in regards to the concentration if poverty; landlord/service provider experience in providing housing/services; an agreement to pay real estate taxes; proof of site control/ownership of the proposed property; description of supportive services if offered; and the responsiveness of the application.

The HRA is committed to promoting access to equal housing opportunities.