Major Concerns for Public Housing in Boston

News Summary

Boston’s public housing standards are under scrutiny following a federal audit revealing that the Boston Housing Authority failed to maintain safe living conditions. Out of 36 inspected units, 31 showed deficiencies, including life-threatening issues. The situation raises urgent concerns about oversight and resident safety, prompting calls for significant reforms to ensure the housing authority can meet its obligations to the community.

Major Concerns for Public Housing in Boston

Boston is now facing some serious issues regarding its public housing standards, as revealed by a recent federal audit. The Boston Housing Authority (BHA) has been called into question for failing to keep its properties in a condition that’s “decent, safe, and sanitary.” This audit was conducted by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Office of the Inspector General in 2023. Out of the 36 housing units that were inspected, a staggering 31 had deficiencies, signaling a significant concern for residents.

What the Audit Found

During the examination, it was discovered that the BHA did not perform dozens of required inspections in fiscal years 2022 and 2023.”>More than half of these deficient housing units had issues that were already present at the time of their last inspections, which is alarming. Even worse, over a third of the inspected units had life-threatening deficiencies that required immediate correction within just 24 hours. These critical deficiencies included the lack of smoke detectors, malfunctioning carbon monoxide detectors, electrical hazards, security dangers, and even blocked emergency exits.

The Importance of Public Housing Agencies

This audit has put a spotlight on the vital role that public housing agencies play in ensuring the safety and well-being of residents living in HUD-funded units. As acknowledged in the audit, the BHA is responsible for overseeing around 10,000 public housing rental units across Boston. Founded in 1935, its mission has long been to provide stable, affordable housing for low-and moderate-income families. But how can it fulfill that mission if its properties are not up to standard?

Steps Towards Improvement

In light of the audit’s findings, BHA has stated that the quality and safety of housing are their top priorities, and they have started taking steps to implement reforms. In the past few months, there has been a significant overhaul in their maintenance system. Reportedly, work orders dropped sharply from over 17,000 in March 2023 to around 3,100 by the end of February.

The BHA is also taking steps to ensure that every unit is inspected annually by a qualified licensed inspector. This is a crucial move, especially considering the audit showed that they have been unable to meet their own policy of having maintenance superintendents conduct quarterly inspections. In fact, reports were only available for 7 out of 24 buildings that had reported deficiencies.

Widespread Issues among Residents

While these changes may indicate a path forward, the audit also underscored pervasive issues throughout the BHA properties. Disturbingly, the inspection revealed problems with building exteriors, common areas, heating and cooling systems, plumbing, and overall infrastructure. Specific complaints from residents indicate serious problems like toilet leaks and rodent infestations at the Franklin Field development in Dorchester.

The situation at Franklin Field has led to complaints from residents about poor maintenance, even resulting in a lawsuit from the state attorney general due to mishandling of tenant complaints concerning mold and vermin. Notably, this development primarily serves working-class families and people of color, with average household incomes falling below $30,000.

A Call for Action

As the audit continues to unfold, it raises urgent questions about whether BHA can adequately staff its maintenance and inspection teams necessary to uphold housing standards. It has become clear that common issues like faulty windows, broken bathroom and kitchen appliances, pest problems, and air quality issues need immediate attention. The Boston community is watching closely, waiting for assurance that their homes will be safe places to live.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

HERE Resources

Massachusetts Housing Crisis: Urgent Calls for Zoning Reform

Additional Resources

• Boston Globe: Federal Audit Raps Boston Housing Authority
• MassLive: HUD Issues Troubled Rating to Springfield Housing Authority
• Boston Globe: Brookline Special Education Financial Mismanagement
• Wikipedia: Public Housing
• Boston Herald: Boston Launches War on Rodents
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Public Housing