Dec. 6, 2006 — The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has put management of its V.I. operations out to bid.
Delegate Donna M. Christensen issued a news release on the matter to let businesses in the territory know about the opportunity.
"And it's our policy to alert the public to what's going on," said Christensen aide Brian Modeste.
Christensen said she met last week with HUD administrators and a representative from Gov.-Elect John deJongh's administration to discuss HUD's receivership of V.I. Housing Authority's properties. HUD took over management of the properties in August 2003 after citing problems with finances and accounting procedures.
The delegate is urging the return of the Housing Authority to local control, she said.
A HUD contractor currently manages the Housing Authority, Modeste said, although the first two people who did the job after HUD took over management were HUD staff members.
The agency is moving toward management contracts for housing authorities in receivership, according to Donna White, a HUD spokesperson.
"It allows HUD staff to serve in more of an advisory role than managing the day-to-day operations," she said.
The agency sees this approach as a more efficient way to help troubled housing authorities on their way back to local control. A HUD staff member serves as a one-person board to oversee the contractor, White said.
To bid on the HUD contract, click here or call HUD contracting officer Gay Julian at 303-672-5281, extension 1819. Refer to HUD Solicitation #R-DEN-02126.
Back Talk Share your reaction to this news with other Source readers. Please include headline, your name and city and state/country or island where you reside.
