2007 REPORT OF THE SOUTHWICK HOUSING AUTHORITY:

MEMBERS:

Name & Position Term Expires

ROBERT K. JOHNSON, 2008
Chairman & State Appointee
JEFFREY L. GURNEY, 2009
Vice Chairman
JOAN M. HAGAN, 2008
Treasurer
SYLVAIN P. THIBAULT 2012
Member
KAREN F. REED 2010
Member

ABOUT THE AUTHORITY:

The purpose of the Southwick Housing Authority is to determine public housing needs for persons of low income, to develop such housing, and to manage public housing programs under its jurisdiction within the Town of Southwick. In the absence of a redevelopment agency in Southwick, the Authority shall also act as the town's redevelopment authority when there is a specific need for redevelopment activity. The Authority consists of a board of 5 members – four elected in town elections and one appointed by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

The Southwick Housing Authority was established at the annual town meeting on 16 March 1970. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts issued the charter for the Authority on 24 July 1970. It is a separate corporation from the Town of Southwick, similar to the Regional School District. The Authority and its tenants receive services from the town in the same manner as other businesses and town residents. In recognition of those services the Authority pays to the Town payments in lieu of property taxes and water and sewage fees at the standard rates.

The Authority is funded by the rents it receives and by grants received from the Commonwealth and the Federal Government. Rents cover day-to-day operations, and grants are used to fund major repairs and renovations. By state law, 10% of Southwick's Community Preservation Act (CPA) funds must be used to help provide affordable community housing. Such funds are used by the Authority on a project-by-project basis when approved by the town meeting. The Authority has decided to use CPA funds to make existing public housing more affordable to the tenants by increasing their energy efficiency.

MEETINGS:

Regular meetings are normally held at 5:00 PM on the third Wednesday of each month in the activity room of the Depot Court project, 12 Depot Street, Southwick, MA. The regular meeting for the month of May is normally the annual meeting of the Authority. Special meetings are held as required. All meetings are posted at least 48 hours in advance on the town bulletin board at the Town Clerk’s Office.

ADMINISTRATION:

Executive Director - Henry C. Engelhardt III
Administrative Assistant - Phylis Petronino
Office Address - 12 Depot Street
Southwick, MA 01077
Office Phone - 569-3161

TENANTS ASSOCIATION

President - Martha Brennan
Apt #22, Fred Ahrend
Circle Southwick, MA
Tenant Association meetings are held at 1:30 PM on the third Friday of each month in the activity room of the Depot Court housing project, 12 Depot Street, Southwick, MA.

REPORT:

The authority manages the following housing programs:

515/Section 8 - This federally-aided public housing program provides 40 apartments for elderly and handicapped persons at Fred Ahrend Circle. They are owned by the Southwick-Granville Senior Citizens Housing Corporation, and managed by the Southwick Housing Authority on a no-fee basis. The project has 30 one-bedroom apartments for the elderly, 6 two-bedroom apartments for the elderly, and 4 two-bedroom apartments for the handicapped. To be eligible for housing at this project, the household of the applicant must have no more than three members, have one or more members of the household who is at least 62 years of age or handicapped, and have a gross household income not greater than $41,450.001 per year. The rent charged is 30% of the net household income, and utilities are included in the rent.

Chapter 667-l - This state-aided public housing program provides 48 apartments for elderly and handicapped persons at 12-16 Depot Street. The project has 44 apartments for the elderly and 4 apartments for the handicapped. To be eligible for this program, the household of the applicant must have no more than two members, have one or more members who is at least 60 years of age or handicapped, and have a net income not greater than $40,150.001 per year. The rent charged is 30% of the net household income, and utilities are included in the rent.

Chapter 689-1 - This state-aided public housing program provides group living for 6 mentally retarded persons at 212 Sheep Pasture Road, Southwick, MA. The median age of residents is 50 years. Full-time care for the residents is provided by the Berkshire County Association for Retarded Citizens, Inc. under the supervision of the state Department of Mental Retardation. To be eligible for this program, the applicant must be mentally retarded, be at least 18 years of age, and have an income not greater than $40,150.001. You may direct inquiries concerning eligibility and selection for this housing/educational program to the Berkshire County Association for Retarded Citizens, Inc., 395 South Street, PO Box 2, Pittsfield, MA 01202 or call (413) 499-4241.

Chapter 689-2 - This state-aided public housing program provides group living for 8 mentally ill and mentally retarded elderly persons at 18 Depot Street, Southwick, MA. Full-time care for the residents is provided by the Center for Human Development, Inc. under the supervision of the state Department of Mental Health. To be eligible for this program, the applicant must be mentally ill, be at least 60 years of age, and have an income not greater than $40,150.001. You may direct inquiries concerning eligibility and selection for this housing and educational program to the Southwick Project, Westbrook Services, The Mill At Crane Pond,
77 Mill Street, Suite 25, Westfield, MA 01085. Telephone: 568-6611 or 568-4846.

Chapter 705 - This state-aided public housing program provides 6 units of rental housing for low-income families. To be eligible for this program, the household of the applicant must have no more than eight members, and have a net income not greater than $57,350.002 per year. The rent charged is 27% of the net household income. Water is included in the rent, but tenants pay all other utilities.

Activities during 2007:
During 2007 the Southwick housing Authority completed its first project using Community Preservation Act funds. The project involved converted a family dwelling from electric heat to gas-fired hot water heat. The purpose of the conversion is to make the dwelling more affordable for the low-income tenant. $18,000.00 was approval by the Special Town Meeting and was transferred to the Authority. The actual cost of the project was $17,500.00 so the remaining $500.00 returned to the town's CPC fund. Also during 2006 the Authority:
Used a town CPA fund grant of $55,000.00 to leverage $160,000.00 from the state. The project includes installation of energy-efficient window replacements, lead paint removal, asbestos siding removal, vinyl siding installation, and associated work. The work is scheduled to begin in March 2008.

Completed conversion of bathrooms in 3 of its units specially designed for the handicapped at the Ahrend Circle Apartments. In each unit, the tub was removed and was replaced by a wheelchair-accessible shower.

Completed preliminary designs to convert 4 of its units specially designed for the handicapped at Depot Court from tubs to roll-in showers. A grant of $32,000.00 has been provided by the state to support this effort.

Completed replacing the roofing at Depot Court using a $350,000.00 state grant. As the work progressed, it became obvious that the replacement of the mansards should be addressed. the authority applied for and receive an additional grant of $214,000.00 for that purpose. Work is in progress and should be completed in April 2008.

Received a completed capital needs study funded by a $25,000.00 grant from the state for capital planning. The study will permit the development of long range improvement plan of authority properties.

Completed a $49,000.00 siding project at the Ahrend Circle Apartments. The project was funded from the project reserve account.

Applied for a $200,000.00 federal grant to be used to replace the paving and install new energy-efficient boilers at the Ahrend Circle apartments. Action on the grant is expected in the Spring of 2008.