OCEAN CITY – The Ocean City Housing Authority has something it hasn’t seen in a long time: units available.
Fourth Ward City Councilman Bob Barr, who is also the chairman of the authority board of directors, announced at a recent council meeting that the authority is accepting applications for units in the federally subsidized housing the authority oversees.
Contacted later, he said there are six units available, and that preference will be given to those who live or work in Ocean City. A sign posted on the door of the authority office states there are one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom units available.
“The mission of the Housing Authority is to serve the people of Ocean City, and those who work in Ocean City,” Barr said. He suggested the former authority director, Alesia Watson, did not follow procedure when it came to assigning units, including the authority’s preference for Ocean City locals.
“She was not adhering to the rules and the mission of the housing authority,” he said. “She was cherry picking people for whatever reason. Most of the people were from outside of the area.”
In May, Watson was removed as the authority director, after she pleaded guilty to embezzling federal funds. According to published reports, Watson was accused of buying 69 gift cards for herself with an authority credit card. She is expected to be sentenced in August.
Watson was replaced by Jaqueline Jones as the authority director. She also serves as the executive director of the Vineland Housing Authority. She did not respond to requests for an interview for this story.
Those interested in applying for housing may do so at the authority office at 204 Fourth Street weekdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., or they can find an application at www.oceancityha.org, although the applications cannot be filled out online. They must be mailed to be considered.
The Ocean City Housing Authority oversees 121 housing units for seniors and families, including in Peck’s Beach Village and Bay View Manor. It’s operated under the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
Olga Alvarez, a HUD spokeswoman, said local authorities typically give preference to area residents, either by municipality or by county.
“Usually, that’s what happens,” she said. After local applicants, there is typically a waiting list.
According to Barr, this is the first time in years there have been spots available on the Ocean City waiting list. There is no income eligibility requirement, he said, but the amount of rent tenants pay depends on their income.
He said there is also preference given to United States military veterans for available units, and after that, it goes by the waiting list.
The Housing Authority was established by ordinance in 1958, and Barr said Peck’s Beach Village – named for the historic name of Ocean City – was built in the 1970s. The authority oversees 40 family units and 81 housing units for seniors.
“The people that live there are an important part of this community,” Barr said.
Minutes of recent meetings of the authority board show plans are in the works for a major overhaul of part of Pecks Beach Village. According to the minutes, the authority has $4.2 million in federal grant money to spend to replace 20 of the units, and that members planned to work with the city on the project.
Information forwarded by HUD’s Alvarez showed $4.2 million in grants marked for recovery from Hurricane Sandy, which hit those properties hard. Many of the residents had to relocate in the aftermath of the storm until their homes could be repaired.
For details about applying for housing units, see www.oceancityha.org or call the authority office at 609-399-1062.
To contact Bill Barlow, email bbarlow@cmcherald.com.
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