Public Housing: Management Issues Pertaining to the Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority
RCED-91-70
Published: Mar 01, 1991. Publicly Released: Mar 27, 1991.
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Highlights
Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority's (BMHA): (1) voluntary 3-year compliance agreement with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and whether it could correct leasing practices that violated title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; (2) reasons for its high vacancy rate; and (3) justification for its high number of employees.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Department of Housing and Urban Development | The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, in implementing the voluntary compliance agreement, should not require BMHA to finance the individual software incentives from BMHA operating funds. Rather, if HUD chooses to implement those incentives, the Secretary should either seek alternative sources of funds or request that Congress explicitly authorize the use of operating funds for this purpose. |
Closed – Implemented
On July 3, 1992, HUD and the Buffalo housing authority entered into a voluntary compliance agreement that complied with the recommendation.
|
| Department of Housing and Urban Development | The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, in monitoring implementation of the title VI voluntary compliance agreement, should evaluate the effects that the agreement has had on the BMHA financial position and vacancy situation in addition to its effects on desegregation. In making its evaluation and while monitoring, HUD should also ensure that the compliance agreement is compatible with its separate national initiative to reduce vacancy rates at public housing authorities where vacancies are unusually high. Should serious conflicts develop between title VI objectives and prudent management of BMHA, the Secretary and BMHA should negotiate appropriate adjustments to the compliance agreement. |
Closed – Implemented
The voluntary compliance agreement entered into by HUD and the Buffalo housing authority requires that HUD monitor compliance.
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Topics
Civil rights law enforcementFacility managementFederal aid for housingHousing programsLow income housingMunicipal governmentsPersonnel managementPublic housingRental housingTenants