St. James housing moving up

Published 12:00 am Monday, July 24, 2000

DANIEL TYLER GOODEN / L’Observateur / July 24, 2000

VACHERIE – “They’re moving up 100 percent. There are definiteimprovements,” said Willie Ferguson, of NELROD co, when asked how she would rate the St. James Housing Authority. Ferguson attended the St. James Council meeting Wednesday with HousingAuthority Director, R.M. Jackson to give a status report of the progress ofthe authority.

NELROD has been contracted by the Department of Housing and Urban Development to assist the St. James Housing Authority in improving itsratings. Currently the housing authority is designated as a trouble area bythe Federal Housing Authority. Ferguson is acting as a federal agent foronsite monitoring from February to December of this year.

Ferguson told the council there were great improvements in the administration, occupation, maintenance, personnel and housing managers.

“It’s very important that the sins of the past are not repeated. We will get incompliance with HUD and stay there,” Ferguson assured the council.

Jackson submitted minutes of their board meetings, articles in the local papers and told of the successful programs the housing authority had done in the last few months. Jackson outlined the Girl Scout program, theMother/Daughter Banquet, the Boys Day Out and the submittal of their five- year plan to the Federal Housing Authority. She also gave a summary of therenovation work being done on the developments, what was being installed and how many were moving in to the apartments.

Councilman Timothy Roussel congratulated Jackson on the work she has accomplished. “You’re getting a lot of work done, better than anyone in thepast. What I’m trying to say is, I really appreciate what your doing here,” hesaid.

Councilman Jimmy Brazan, though acknowledging the improvements of the housing authority, had concerns about the developments’ appearance. “I’mnot at all happy with the grass.” The yards, grounds and buildings lookdeplorable, Brazan said.

Jackson explained the responsibility of the grass cutting fell to the residents. Residents can borrow a lawn mower, with a full tank of gas, bydepositing a driver’s license. Houses that are vacant are the responsibility ofthe housing authority, but due to a shortage of staff some maintenance work has fallen behind.

To hire new workers the housing authority must follow federal guidelines for hiring, but often there are no one qualified for the jobs, said Jackson. Theyneed plumbers, carpenters and other skilled contractors, but people with those skills hire on at plants or with better paying companies. “We can’t getgood workers at the rate we have to pay,” added Jackson.

The council advised that perhaps parish utilities workers could be hired for after-hours work. Jackson said she had not thought of that option but wouldimmediately look into it.

Brazan offered to ride around with her and point out the problems he had with the appearance of the developments. Jackson took him up on the offerand asked if he would be available the next day.

Despite maintenance concerns, the council was pleased with the work Jackson had accomplished and congratulated her.

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