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Civil grand jury urges more transparency on housing finances; Mayor’s housing office commits to online tools and reports
Summary
The 2013–14 civil grand jury called for clearer public access to financing, eligibility and project pipeline information for affordable housing. The Mayor’s Office of Housing agreed with the recommendations and outlined an electronic unified application, website redesign and new reporting to be completed by year‑end.
The Government Audit and Oversight Committee on Sept. 25 heard the civil grand jury’s report The Mayor’s Office of Housing Under Pressure and Challenged to Preserve Diversity, which urges more transparency about affordable‑housing finance, eligibility and project status so residents can monitor delivery and hold officials accountable.
"The ultimate tool of gaining citizen support and citizen engagement is to make sure that there's a free flow of information," Elena Smith, chairwoman of the civil grand jury, told the committee when introducing the report.
The jury reviewed the Mayor's aggressive housing pledges and the work of the Mayor's Office of Housing and Community Development (MOCD). The report highlighted a series of obstacles — including the end of redevelopment funding, stewardship questions about the housing…
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