Memo- Dow Towers UpdatePHAS
MEMO
To: Hopkins City Council
From: Stacy Unowsky, Public Housing Manager
Date: August 20, 2009
Subject: Update on Items for Work Session
Wait List Opening
The one bedroom wait list for Dow Towers will be opening on September 15, 16 & 17. Requests
for an application will be accepted for persons aged 50 and over and disabled individuals. The
last time we opened the list in 2007, we received over 300 requests.
Dow Towers Demographics
Currently we are serving 1/3 seniors and 2/3 disabled residents. We have rents ranging from $25-
$584. This summer we have had four people move out, which is typical during the summer
months.
Ross Applications due 9/18/09
Last year we reapplied for a ROSS grant and did not get selected in the lottery. We are again
completing a grant funding request with hopes of being selected this year. Currently, Vail Place
and the HRA are paying for one day each week for supportive services to remain in the building.
The grading system for Public Housing Authorities is named PHAS. Each year the financial area
of the HRA is reviewed through the submission of our year -end information. This tool analyzes
the HRA on a number of areas, and compares us to other similarly sized HRAs. The other
components of the grade include a physical inspection by HUD, a management assessment tool
and a resident survey. The past three years HUD has not sent surveys for various reasons. We
had hoped to have our grade by now, but the scores have yet to be released.
Stimulus Activity
Generator Replacement The new unit has been ordered, and we anticipate replacement in
September.
Memo to Hopkins City Council, August 20, 2009 — Page 2
Landscape Project
Window Replacement
Work will begin in the next two weeks.
HRA staff and our architect met with window representatives this
week to learn more about their products and determine which
window products would best meet our needs. Next week we
anticipate selecting two options for Dow Towers and moving
forward with the bidding process.
Overview of Funding Sources
Each year, we receive an Operating Subsidy based on a calculation performed by HUD. Then,
depending on how much Congress has funded the program, we get a pro -rated subsidy amount.
In addition, annually we receive Capital Improvement Funds. These funds also vary year to year
based on the money allotted by Congress. Stimulus money was made available to HRAs in 2009
in part to assist us in addressing some of the backlog of projects due to the capital fund program
being funded at amounts that do not allow us to meet all of the capital needs for the program.
If you have further questions about any item related to the administration of the program please
let me know.