Albany commission backs housing authority’s Section 18 application amid tenant safety concerns

The Albany City Commission on Feb. 3 voted to support a Section 18 demolition and disposition application from the Albany Housing Authority for Hudson Malone Towers at 401 Flint Avenue, after staff said the step is necessary to trigger HUD emergency relocation vouchers for the building’s remaining tenants.

City Manager Terrell Jacobs told the commission that HUD’s guidance recommends a declaration of trust on the property’s title to put the housing authority in a position to finance demolition and potential redevelopment and to trigger the authority’s ability to apply for emergency vouchers. "That puts the housing authority in a position to finance the demolition and potentially the redevelopment on the property," Jacobs said, describing the declaration as the mechanism HUD advised rather than an immediate title transfer.

The discussion was framed by sharp concerns about tenant conditions. A registered nurse and state-certified CNA who addressed the commission described the building as "unlivable" and said tenants were living in unsafe conditions. "These people need to be out of this building — it's not fit to live in," the commenter said, urging a concrete timeline for relocation and warning of regulatory complaints if action is not taken.

Several commissioners said they share the urgency and asked staff and the housing authority to present a relocation plan that specifies how the authority will house the 34 remaining tenants. Jacobs and staff said they had identified at least 16 potential placements and that the housing authority would be expected to include a transitional plan in its application to HUD. "They should have a plan once this application is submitted," Jacobs said, adding that the vouchers would become available as a next step in the process.

Commissioners also asked for a follow-up presentation to review the housing authority’s inventory, budget and the timeline for moving tenants to other units or voucher-supported housing. One commissioner asked the housing authority to be invited to a future retreat to present that plan.

The motion to adopt the resolution was made, seconded and approved by roll call. The transcript records a mix of yes votes and at least one 'no' vote; the mayor voted in favor. The resolution instructs the city to provide support for the housing authority’s Section 18 application and request that the authority include a clear relocation and voucher plan as part of its application.

Next steps: staff said they will request that the housing authority present its inventory and transitional plan and will continue working with HUD guidance on the emergency-voucher process. The commission did not adopt any relocation deadlines on the floor beyond asking for that plan.

(Reporters: quotes and attributions are based on the Feb. 3 Albany City Commission transcript.)