Housing Board Blasts Inspections

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Housing Board Blasts Inspections

Tampa Tribune - Tampa,FL

By JOHN W. ALLMAN The Tampa Tribune

http://www.tbo.com/news/metro/MGBM00TVG2F.html

TAMPA - The Tampa Housing Authority, seeking more accountability at

River Pines Apartments, has asked for a revamped inspection process

and better description of problems such as mold.

The strongly-worded request, written by Jerome s, housing

president, to Rath Harper and Associates on Thursday, is an about-

face from May 22 - the day s and the authority's board of

commissioners received a 59-page report from the company about the

senior retirement community.

At that time, s - despite not having read the report - said he

was " satisfied " and " very comfortable " with explanations offered by

Fred Rath, president of Rath Harper, about complaints reported in

The Tampa Tribune.

Dozens of residents have complained, claiming, among other things,

poor living conditions, including mold in their units, and rude and

intimidating treatment by management staff.

Rath's firm contracts with the authority to manage day-to-day

operations at three properties owned by the authority: River Pines,

River Place Apartments and Meridian Apartments. The firm receives 4

percent of total rent collected at each.

Rath's report included 25 pages showing the results of inspections

at 300 River Pines units. In all, 144 units were listed as needing

repair, including 40 units with " early indication " of mold and

mildew. Specific details as to severity or scope, however, were

minimal.

The report included descriptions such as " mildew bath closet "

or " mildew in kit, " meaning kitchen.

The mold appeared to get s' attention.

He and Rath have previously said mold is to be expected at River

Pines, which sits off 40th Street in northeast Tampa along the

Hillsborough River and is built of concrete block.

Before moving in, residents must sign a lease addendum that says

they are responsible for cleaning mold as it appears. They are asked

to report it to management only after repeated attempts to remove it

themselves.

" With specific regard to issues of mold, although the issues do not

currently appear to be extensive or rampant and seem to stem mostly

from inadequate housekeeping, your inspection sheets do not

adequately reflect that, " s wrote. " Simply listing 'mold'

doesn't give me, or the board, the proper context of the situation,

minor or otherwise. "

In addition, s criticized " other key components " he said

were " omitted " from the report but did not elaborate. He attached

copies of inspection checklists used by the authority and the

federal Department of Housing and Urban Development, and he asked

Rath to create a new inspection form for use at the three properties.

The housing authority's checklist, in particular, includes

categories for citing mold or mildew and documenting its severity.

" I would like to review and approve your new inspection form, " s

wrote.

s' letter said that he wants housing staff to increase their

presence at the three properties. And he said they will periodically

select units for inspection " to ensure that your practices are

sufficient to determine needs and maintain the properties to a

standard acceptable to the authority. "

s was unavailable for comment Friday, but Rath issued a

statement after receiving the letter.

" We are happy to change our inspection reports to give a clearer

description of the nature of the housekeeping or maintenance

issues, " he said. " Our staff will evaluate the checklists provided

and develop a draft for the authority's review. Once approved, we

will begin using the new forms immediately. "

Rath is slated to appear at the authority's board meeting this

month. Last week, a spokeswoman for his company said that repairs to

the 144 units have begun, with 20 units completed so far. The work

is expected to be done within six weeks, which is considerably

shorter than the six-month timetable Rath offered the housing board

in his report.

At the May 22 meeting, five board members who heard Rath's

presentation had not had a chance to read his report. Still, two

board members - chairwoman Hazel Harvey and housing resident

representative Peoples - downplayed the complaints.

Board member Gerald White, however, expressed concern and requested

an independent inspection of the property. He did not make his

request as a motion, however, and it was not voted upon or discussed.

White took a softer stance last week, saying that he wanted to give

s a chance to address concerns.

" I'm trying not to jump the gun, " he said. " I am concerned; how did

we get to this point in the first place? That's the real issue. "

Reporter W. Allman can be reached at (813) 259-7915 or

jallman@....