Charlottesville housing authority gets refresher on FOIA, conflicts and agency powers

Legal counsel Delphine Karnes led a training for the Charlottesville Redevelopment and Housing Authority on the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, conflicts-of-interest rules and the statutory powers of public housing authorities.

Karnes told commissioners that housing authorities are "creatures of statute," explaining that CRHA has only the powers specifically granted by state law and that it was activated locally in 1954. She summarized the agency's core authorities — housing projects, redevelopment projects and conservation work — and said federal funding has largely limited the agency's options for conservation work.

Karnes reviewed limits on the exercise of eminent domain, citing the nationwide reaction to Kelo v. City of New London and subsequent Virginia statutory and constitutional changes that make it difficult for housing authorities to condemn…