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New Canaan housing board hears management reports, draft audits and tenant concerns; votes to enter executive session
Summary
At a virtual meeting, managers reported trouble leasing one-bedroom units at Millport, scheduled RAD inspections and building maintenance, and staff said draft audits show small surplus cash that may be distributed to investor and holding entities. The board approved entering executive session by voice vote.
The New Canaan Housing Authority on an evening teleconference heard management reports about unit turnovers, building maintenance and inspections, and a finance update showing draft audits that may permit small distributions to investor and holding accounts. The board then voted by voice to move into executive session.
Managers said Millport one-bedroom units are hard to lease because applicants fail to meet the minimum income requirement for those units. Amy (property manager) said the one-bedroom units at 35 Millport are set at roughly 60% AMI rents — about $1,600 monthly — and applicants are often below the required income of about $56,000–$57,000. “The majority of them are way under, making like 33, 30 [thousand],” Amy said. She also said felony convictions typically remain a barrier to tenancy for more than 10 years.
The management report also covered upcoming inspections and routine maintenance. Amy said extermination was completed with the next treatment scheduled for May and sprinkler-system checks are due in April. She said staff will begin RAD Millport phase 2 inspections March 3–14, followed by work on phase 1 and then repairs, aiming to stay ahead of any inspector schedule.
Chandrida (Canaan Parish manager) reported four units affected by a recent flood incident (two occupied) and described work to restore units, including carpet and light fixture installation. She reported a window on the fourth floor that blew out during high winds — “the wind took it off the other night” — and said staff are evaluating casement replacement options and will discuss related matters in executive session. Chandrida also said a management occupancy review (MRR) is scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday, March 26–27.
Staff and board discussed outreach events. Chandrida said a meet-and-greet with the New Canaan Public School System has been rescheduled to Feb. 26 at 5:30 p.m. at Canaan Parish; the event will include school teams, parents and representatives from social and resident services such as self-sufficiency programs, benefits and health services. Chandrida said Millport residents may be invited to a separate session in March or April.
On finance, staff reported receipt of draft audits and draft tax returns for three related entities and said the annual computation of surplus cash may generate a small amount available for distribution. “There has not been any surplus cash available for distribution” historically, a staff member said, but the drafts indicate there may be a modest amount to transfer from apartment entities to the Hank entity and to an investor member. Staff said the board will receive final audits and a brief summary of the computation before making any distribution decision at a future meeting.
Accounts-receivable (AR) reporting is being cleaned up by writing off long-uncollectible balances; staff cited a large COVID-era balance from a former resident, Tiffany Lanton, as an example. The board also confirmed that each entity is maintaining monthly replacement-reserve funds that may be used for maintenance or capital needs.
Board members asked about a tax-abatement submission and an 8-30g compliance filing submitted to the town in January; staff said there has been no response and that the forms may need resubmission using audited numbers once the audits are finalized.
Board members and managers also discussed Riverwood, a recently purchased property managed on-site by Greystar. Staff said Riverwood is currently operated as market-rate housing and that while there may be a future plan to add affordable units, any conversion would be at least two to three years away. Managers said they had been approached by Riverwood residents who believe the property is already transitioning to affordable units; staff advised applicants to contact Greystar on site and offered Millport or Canaan Parish applications for interested households.
Before adjourning the open session, the board moved and seconded to enter executive session to discuss personnel/financial matters; a voice vote was taken and the chair announced the motion carried. No detailed roll-call vote was recorded in the transcript.
The meeting closed with the board proceeding to executive session; staff said they would circulate final audits and an explanatory memo ahead of the next meeting so the board can act on any surplus-cash distribution then.
