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Housing Authority asks to be stronger
By JEFFREY S. SOLOCHEK, Times Staff Writer BROOKSVILLE -- With interest in affordable housing construction growing, the Hernando County Housing Authority wants to expand its power to issue bonds and make loans to qualified developers. The authority has asked county commissioners to name its members to a Hernando County Housing Finance Authority, an agency first created in 1982 but never implemented. Executive Director Donnie Singer said such a setup would avoid establishing more bureaucracy by placing all housing issues under a single roof. Several commissioners, though, flagged the item -- which comes to them today in the form of a request for public hearing -- as one they wanted to air thoroughly. As developers' interest in affordable housing increases, they noted, so too does the public's level of concern. "Are we sure this is the direction we really want to go?" Commissioner Betty Whitehouse wondered. She observed that affordable apartment projects currently in the works did not gain any public attention until very late in the planning, and suggested that the County Commission might want a stronger hand. "This is one that we're going to have to talk about and make sure that this is going to be in the county's best interest," Whitehouse said. Standing practice has all bond requests coming to the County Commission for public hearing, Chairwoman Nancy Robinson said. She wanted assurances that any rule change would not remove that aspect of the process. Singer said the commission's role would continue. By giving wider powers to the Housing Authority, which is appointed by the governor, the public also would have a better chance of a fair hearing by an active and interested board than if the finance authority were separate, he added. The only way people will not have a say, he said, is if they do not participate. "You can't force people to pay attention," Singer said. "This isn't taking anything away from the public." Housing Authority member Evangelina Jenkins agreed that residents had ample notice about any bond issuances her board acted upon, and said such notification would continue in the future. "There was nothing being hidden," said Jenkins, who backed the proposed ordinance. No one took part last winter in public hearings for county-issued bonds to support affordable apartments planned for Seven Hills. Several residents have said they plan to speak this summer at hearings regarding state bonds for apartments at Seven Hills and Silverthorn. Commissioners are scheduled to decide today whether to schedule a hearing on this ordinance for June 18. The result depends on whether they get their questions answered. There are several. "Is there a problem, that we have to do this?" Commissioner Diane Rowden said she would ask. "Have you not been able to do your job because someone is standing in your way? . . . I'm definitely thinking about this." -- Jeffrey S. Solochek covers Hernando County government and can be reached at 754-6115. Send e-mail to solochek@sptimes.com.
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From today's Hernando Times Letters |
