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Hillsborough Makes Deadline To Ensure Receiving HUD Grant

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By MIKE SALINERO | The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 11, 2008

TAMPA - A year ago, Hillsborough County's Affordable Housing Office lost $2 million in federal money for not committing the funds to eligible projects in time.

This year, the county made its Oct. 31 deadline, committing roughly $3.8 million during the last six months to projects eligible under the federal HOME program, administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

HOME money is used to build and renovate affordable housing projects, including single-family housing and apartments, and for down-payment assistance for first-time home buyers.

Gary Causey, director of community planning and development at HUD's Jacksonville office, said the county faced a "significant challenge" because of changes in how the federal agency determines compliance in guidelines for projects.

"These are remarkable accomplishments and could not have been achieved without the dedication and outstanding work on behalf of many county staff over the past year," Causey wrote in a letter to County Administrator Pat Bean.

After the county lost $2 million in affordable housing money last year, HUD threatened to take back $800,000 this year that was spent to renovate three apartment complexes in North Tampa. The county had relinquished control of the apartments several years ago without guaranteeing they would continue to provide 55 low-cost rental units for needy families for at least 20 years, as required by HUD guidelines.

As late as April, Causey had written a letter to the county saying the Affordable Housing Office had not done enough to straighten out problems making a timely commitment of federal money. In addition to the $800,000 wrongly spent on the apartments, the county had roughly $3 million to commit to eligible projects by Oct. 31.

Bill Armstrong, who Bean appointed temporary director of the Affordable Housing Office in April, said the latest letter from Causey at HUD was a "big, big deal." He said the staff worked long hours and collaborated with HUD to make sure projects being considered were likely to be approved.

"We were in the cross hairs for that $3 million," Armstrong said. "If we failed to commit it, we would be where we were last year with the deobligation of funds. So this was a critical letter."

Reporter Mike Salinero can be reached at (813) 259-8303.

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