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Housing Board To Meet With Empty Seat

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By JOHN W. ALLMAN

jallman@tampatrib.com

Published: October 12, 2008

TAMPA - The Tampa Housing Authority will be missing a board member Wednesday when it holds its monthly meeting.

Longtime housing commissioner Karen Peoples has been stripped of her title after her eviction Sept. 29 from her public housing apartment at C. Blythe Andrews.

Peoples had served on the seven-member board, appointed by the mayor, since 1998. Her seat was reserved for someone who receives a federal housing subsidy. It is an unpaid, volunteer position.

Housing president Jerome Ryans said he will discuss the vacancy Tuesday when he meets with Mayor Pam Iorio.

"I think it's pretty important," Ryans said, "and I'm comfortable that the mayor is going to get it filled pretty quickly."
Ryans said he is willing to provide a list of candidates for Iorio to consider. The most important issue in picking a new housing resident, he said, is to make sure they are properly vetted for prior violations.

Peoples, who paid $26 a month in rent, had been in violation of federal housing guidelines since November 2007 because she was living by herself in a four-bedroom apartment. She refused three offers by the authority to relocate to a one-bedroom apartment.

Since 2007, Peoples also had been cited for nonpayment of rent and for failing a housekeeping inspection.

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