[remote or in person] Board of Commissioners
Chicago Housing Authority
Development
Housing
Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023
8:30 a.m. — 1:00 p.m. CDT
60 E Van Buren St Chicago, IL 60605 (Directions)
CHA Corporate Offices, 7th Floor, Board Chambers
This is an assignment to cover a series of back-to-back meetings of the Chicago Housing Authority board.
You have the option of attending this meeting remotely or in person. If you attend in person, you may need to reserve a spot in advance more details here. Please indicate that you attended in person and an hour will be added to your total assignment pay.
If you document the meeting remotely, it will be live-streamed on the Chicago Housing Authority’s Youtube channel at this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NeWhIKQCuFw
Meeting schedule (additional details here)
- 8:30 a.m.: Closed session (this part often ends early, so we ask that you tune in at this time so you don’t miss the open session that follows)
- 9:00 am: Finance & Audit Committee (Business Session)
- 9:10 am: Tenant Services Committee
- 9:20 am: Real Estate Operations Development Committee
- 9:30 am: Business Session Public Hearing
- Closed Session
The meeting duration varies but usually wraps up between noon and 1 p.m.
Check the source website for additional information
Reporting
Edited and summarized by the Chicago - IL Documenters Team
Note-taking by
Daniel Corral
A West Side market-rate development will be turned into affordable housing.
Live reporting by
Kaelyn Robinson
A Near West Side market-rate development will be turned into affordable housing.
Kaelyn
@Kaelynski
Hey! I'll be livetweeting a series of Chicago Housing Authority's back-to-back Board of Comissioners meetings for @CHIdocumenters #CHIdocumenters. The meeting will begin in closed session at 8:30, and we will follow along after that.
08:30 AM Sep 19, 2023 CDT
The Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) is the government agency who manages public housing for the City of Chicago. They are funded in large part by the federal government, through the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
The organization is separate from the city, but the CEO and 7 of 10 commissioners are appointed by the mayor. The remaining 3 are elected by housing residents. Brandon Johnson has yet to make his impression on the agency, but has been encouraged to make changes by advocates.
Board Chair Angela Hurlock has called the meeting to order. The roll has been called.
Hurlock is giving a reminder that public comment will be for general matters only, not for comments directly related to voting matters before the commissioners today.
Centering thoughts by Dr. Mildred Harris. She is asking folks to look at their neighbor and tell them, "I want you to have a good life." she then connected this sentiment to the CHA's mission.
She is quoting Mother Theresa's writing on what life is. "Life is a song, sing it."
Next item is a report from the CEO, Tracy Scott. She is discussing Congressional action on the federal budget. She says the CHA gets 95% of their funding through HUD. She says that the CHA is making plans if the budget process is delayed by a government shutdown.
Her comments are that the Authority is in a good financial position to weather a delay of funding coming through from the federal government.
Scott moves to a discussion of the seven sites under development, as well as renovations at Ogden and several buildings for Seniors.
She also highlights some CHA programs for residents, Learning and Earning, and a scholarship program, their coat drive, Opération Warm. They prepared an impact report, gathering the services they provide residents.
Elle Sargent and Miriam Savade, Kerry Seinbuck, Ann McKenzie, Giana Branch and Ebony Campbell are all recipients of NARO national convention award recipients.
The CHA is now showing a video with upbeat, Carribean inspired music, showing video clips from different events they hosted.
Including a senior Luau, groundbreaking at Encuentro Square. The video is interspersed with cards with large letters such as "success."
We now move into public participation, and Chair Hurlock is giving folks an overview of how their comments may be received, and questions answered. She includes a warning about disruptive behavior that impedes the conducting of business.
First to speak is Otis Thomas, he begins with an apology to Commissioner Crystal Palmer.
Mr. Pickett comments that black people are being lied to, and invokes Fred Hampton and housing advocates would want folks not to be fooled.
The next speaker, MR. Bailey, is speaking about his disappointment with CHA. He is speaking about the kids at properties that are crying out for help. He is discussing his developments as well as lawmakers he is speaking with.
The next speaker, is asking for accountability for contractors workmanship, closing the buildings to rats. They also mention the behavior or residents and safety at the CHA sites.
The next speaker Tamika Holt, is speaking on the response of CHA to complaints and issues. Ms
Holt is making a comment that the response is inadequate and that she has been called a troublemaker for bringing up issues for resolution. She says the CHA should be investigated.
Holt is making a comment that the response is inadequate and that she has been called a troublemaker for bringing up issues for resolution. She says the CHA should be investigated.
The next speaker, Dallas Pickett, is discussing maintenance issues that haven't been addressed since June, including a front door that is off the hinge and needs to be left open, creating a security issue.
The next speaker mentions she is not in the minutes for her testimony during the last meeting.
She is speaking on the management companies that are not doing good work, or being respectful to residents. She is asking for accountability for these third party companies that manage CHA properties. She mentions attitudes that contribute negatively.
The speaker, Ms Brenda Perry, also mentions that no maintenance project is ever completely finished. She says she hopes to come back to one of these meetings and gets to say something got done at her building.
The next speaker, Ms Rosanna Randall, is speaking about the retaliation she has faced by CHA. She specifically mentions being threatened by employee Donna Baker, and brought the police report with her.
The next speaker, Aletha Anderson. She is speaking about her building, where she is fighting an eviction notice. She comments that issues related to the reason of the eviction have been resolved, but that CHA is still moving forward with the eviction.
She is discussing that when she asks for help, she gets different information and has been going in circles, without legal representation, to work things out.
The CEO is responding that she was made aware of the situation and connects the resident with an employee to try to support. She mentions that the building is not owned by CHA, implying that there may not be a direct fix that the CHA can provide.
The last speaker is Ernie Norman. He comments that speakers only get 2 minutes to speak at these meetings every other month. He is saying that this is not nearly enough time to communicate publicly, and that follow up from middle and upper management needs to be consistent.
Mr. Norman is bringing up resident councils and other methods of giving feedback to the CHA, and says that they help, but that the board of commissioners meetings should make more time for folks to talk through substantive matters.
That was the end of public comment. The board has moved into closed session, which Chair Hurlock mentions should last approximately 30 minutes.
And another inspirational video with light music is playing. It looks like there are a series of videos playing during closed session.
The flowery language and upbeat video content from both board commissioners, as well as the CHA Chief Executive, from the top of the meeting, stands in stark contrast to the public comment section.
During public comment, folks were given two minutes to speak, with one CHA employee timing and ringing a bell saying "thirty seconds remaining" at the 1:30 mark. This warning appears to have thrown most folks off. It is a loud bell, and someone speaking over them.
One speaker even stopped speaking at the warning, thereby reducing their speaking time by a quarter. Every speaker present used their full time, and most went slightly over to finish their sentence. It appears that nearly everyone would have continued speaking but for this limit.
The video content continues, most of highlighting events and programs that are not providing housing directly, but wraparound services that the CHA funds because of legislation passed in the 90s called Move to Work. This legislation was trying to cut some red tape imposed by HUD
Move to Work (mtw) is intended to allow individual Public Housing Authorities to be more flexible in how they spend money, instead of tying federal dollars directly to units of housing. Departments could use funds to innovate solutions for problems of the so called inner city.
The mayor of Chicago at this time, Richard M Daley, was quite keen on this idea and used the legislation to build a plan, dubbed The Plan for Transformation, that allowed the CHA to get out from under Federal control.
HUD had seized control of the Chicago Housing Authority in 1995, due to gross mismanagement, amid a moral panic about gangs, crime and blight in urban areas.
This Move To Work framework is used to fund all kinds of initiatives, and has also been criticized for shifting the focus of the agency away from housing. See Natalie Moore for WBEZ back in 2017
interactive.wbez.org/cha/?_ga=2.540…
The Plan for Transformation, passed in 1999, did give the CHA back their agency, and HUD agreed to make Chicago one of the first places to receive MTW designation.
The main thrust of the plan was to demolish huge swaths of public housing, especially large towers that were considered beyond help by the Authority. They issued a "right of return" to residents, tore the buildings down with a promise of redevelopment within 10 years.
The Authority now has deeds to vacant lands, a few of which have been redeveloped, and has been criticized for issuing ground leases for other folks to build on the public land. These buildings include stores, tennis facilities, and a stalled plan for the Chicago Fire soccer team
Mick Dimke and Nick Blumberg detail the Chicago Fire deal, and some context here. This deal is currently held up in the courts, with a Judge asking HUD to review whether the lease violates residents civil rights.
news.wttw.com/2022/06/09/lan…
The CHA has celebrated the deal, saying it will bring added funding to other projects. But, the CHA is already sitting on large reserves, and has also changed the terms of the Plan for Transformation, by making an agreement with HUD to include other types of housing in the count.
These units, often owned and operated privately and subsidized by CHA, are the same types that house one of the public speakers, Ms. Anderson, who is facing eviction. CEO Scott did offer help, but also called out that the building isn't a CHA property.
propublica.org/article/chicag…
One resource related to resident Tamika Holt, who spoke during public comment. She said she was called a "troublemaker," as well as being threatened by people at the Housing Authority, specifically naming someone, Donna Baker, who Holt claimed said she would "Beat her ass."
There is some recent reporting from Nick Blumberg at WTTW about retaliation from the CHA, including a woman whose house is being sold from underneath her. The residents int hat story discuss a culture of fear in speaking up about issues with their housing.
news.wttw.com/2023/09/13/chi…
This culture of fear stems, according to these residents from the difficulty with attaining their housing to begin with. Reports differ, but the combined waitlists for CTA's housing are extremely large, with around 215,000 people waiting for housing.
abc7chicago.com/affordable-hou…
This means people often spend decades on waiting lists, including Alderperson Jeannette Taylor of the 20th ward. She has publicly urged Mayor Johnson to fire CHA CEO Tracy Scott, appointed by his predecessor, for not doing enough to make change.
chicago.suntimes.com/fran-spielman-…
Checking back in with the meeting in progress, we are still in closed session, and the video being shown just flashed an interstitial card saying "Opportunity," followed by images of an internship program. Then, "Beginnings" with images of a groundbreaking.
Hard to overstate that breaking ground on a project in 2023 that was planned in 1999 is not accurately described as a "Beginning." Especially when the demolition of the buildings displaced vulnerable families, the vast majority of whom never exercise their right to return.
The video is discussing a dessert made with navy beans. It is made by an entrepreneur who received benefits from a CHA program for their business.
The program, the Work Opportunity Resource Center, used to be called Section 3, and is funded using MTW dollars that Congress originally appropriated for units of housing. CEO Scott did mention MTW in her report earlier in the meeting.
Her comment earlier about MTW is that it will allow the CHA to continue uninterrupted during a possible government shutdown. The resolutions that will be voted on when the Board returns to open session are all funded using MTW for insurance and legal services.
One quick correction. I mentioned Tamika Holt as the speaker who discussed being threatened by the CHA. That is incorrect. That was Rosanna Randall, not Ms. Holt. Apologies.
The board went into closed session at around 9:22. The Chairperson, Angela Hurlock, estimated a thirty minute time-frame. It has now been an hour and 20 minutes. It's unclear from the video feed if those in attendance at at the meeting in person have remained to see the votes.
The video feed from 60 E Van Buren is still showing some CHA created videos, which at this point, have starting repeating.
The board has now returned from closed session. They have approved the minutes front he previous meeting. There was no indication as to whether they have been amended to include speaker whose comments weren't listed who spoke about that during public comment.
The CFO, Michael Moran, is now speaking about the financial audit that is being submitted to HUD. He said that it was a "clean report." This appears to indicate compliance with accounting principles and regulations.
There are three findings by the auditors. The there was so paperwork issues, missing signatures or initials by residents on their intake paperwork. He also mentions that inspections and documentation on them. It appears from the reporting that inspections have been missed.
Moran says that the issue was in the reporting and not that the inspections did not occur. He mentions that all issues have been "remediate." Commissioner Mildred Harris thanks the CFO for his success, being detail oriented and says she can tell because he is dressed so neatly.
The next item is about awarding contracts for IDIQ working with outside counsel. Presented by Cheif Legal Officer, Ellen Harris. Questions by the Board include asking about who that outside counsel is, whether students may be engaged in the work, as well as local firms.
Chair Hurlock is mentioning that some firms the CHA works with do have good programs involving youth and students and she hopes other firms will follow their example.
Jennifer Hoyle, Deputy Cheif of Staff, is presenting on the next item, a report for HUD in support of the Move to Work (MTW) program. CHA is required to produce this report, including a period for public comment, and submit it to HUD annually.
She spoke about several programs, some educational and professional development, some for aid to unhoused people, as well as a home buying program for residents.
Commissioner Parker asks about dispositions for development near the red line extension, as well as at the former Cabrini Green site. Hoyle mentions that there are dispositions for partial redevelopment.
The next item is recommendation for changes to policies for Admissions and Continued Occupancy. This includes compliance with HOTMA (The Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act, passed in 2016).
There is a discussion of one change, a limitation on a person's eligibility based on their assets. The statute prohibits participation in HUD programs for people with property assets over $100,000 in value, if those assets are suited to residency.
There is a discussion among the commissioners about what that means for the public, and to clarify the meaning of "asset."
The next item is to establish a contractor pool, and to award contracts. Commissioner Parker notes that she is abstaining from discussion and votes on this item, under advice from council.
The Deputy Chief Operations Officer is presenting here (this is a change from the agenda). There was an RFP (request for proposals) for contractors, and the CHA is recommending 114 contractors to be a part of a pre-approved pool that has been evaluated by the Authority.
They mention that the evaluation includes past performance and other metrics that have been added to a tool that can score potential contractors. She discusses that the contractors are divided into tiers with spending caps. Each tier is divided by scale, small to large.
The Deputy is now introducing some contractors, who have come to speak on what they do for the CHA. The first is from a cleaning company, who has been able to grow because of work with the Authority and has hired 8 residents.
The next speaker is Elvis Darden, a contractor whose business participated in Section 3 and comments that it is the most beneficial program hat he has been a part of.
The next speaker is LaTanya Nelson, who runs a pest control program. She is also commending the job program that has helped her business grow and she thanks various members who have aided her in building a business that is responsible to the community.
The last person to speak, who runs a union contracting business. She is speaking about the job program giving her business a chance to scale. She mentions being filled with joy in her work, due to her connection with residents, having lived in scattered site public housing.
Commissioner Dr. Mildred Pierce congratulates the speakers and takes time to thank the sign language interpreters in attendance.
The interpreters were seen briefly in the livestream, but haven't been visible for the majority of the broadcast.
Commissioner Matanky asks for the report to call out resident owned businesses so that the board can see the results.
The next item is Ann McKenzie, the Cheif Development Officer, on a request to loan funds to Forward Communities Devolopment LLC. They are renovating 19 units that are built near Western and Jackson, on land that used to have a large housing development owned by CHA.
The loan is for $3 million dollars. The units will be sold with buyers sought through the Chicago Land Trust with an "emphasis" on CHA residents to move into home ownership.
Commissioner Matanky asks why we would issue a loan to this third party to redevelop and sell the units instead of purchase the property to be included in their portfolio.
CDO McKenzie says they were not built to be public housing and says, "This is why we have subsidiaries."
Commissioner Parker says she remembers that when they were built, she thought they should be sold directly to residents. CEO Tracy Scott tries to clarify that the houses were built for "market rate."
Scott mentions that she appreciates Cmr Parkers comments and hopes to continue the conversation "offline" to make it a good program.
We move to public comment. Tamika Holt returns to the podium to comment on the contractor pool.
She discusses the unfair process of selecting contractors, and then not providing work under contract. She discusses that the pre-existing pool, which appears to be being replaced by the new pool, is attempting to keep out businesses.
Holt speaks about the CHA having a nepotism problem. She hearkens back to being born in Cabrini Green, and that the policies of the CHA have bankrupted businesses by having high requirements for contractors regarding insurance and office space, and not providing business.
Her final comments, over time, are that the CHA is engaged in a bait and switch, marketing a fiction while self dealing.
Hurlock seperates out item seven, because of Parker's abstention. There is a slight confusion, but other than Cmr Parker's abstention from item 7, all items passed unanimously.
Chair Hurlock has adjourned the meeting at 11:48. This concludes my coverage of the Chicago Housing Authority Board of Comissioners meeting. For more reporting on public meetings, visit .
Documenters.org
I have more corrections on folks names. The speakers who registered for public comment were: Otis Thomas, Melvin Bailey, Jenny Newsome, Tamiko Holt (not Tamika), Dallas Pickett, Brenda Perry, Rosetta Randall (not Rosanna), Aletha Anderson, Donna Hefton (absent), and Ernie Norman.
Attachments
Agency Information
Chicago Housing Authority
The CHA Board of Commissioners is the governing body that determines policies and resolutions of CHA. The Board approves decisions that chart the direction of current and future programs and authorizes the actions of the Chief Executive Officer and his or her designees. The 10-member Board of Commissioners is confirmed by the Chicago City Council for staggered five-year terms. All commissioners must be residents of Chicago, and at least three commissioners must be CHA residents. Employees of CHA are not authorized to serve as commissioners.
Remote meetings are live-streamed on the Chicago Housing Authority’s Youtube channel. The video may not appear until at or a few minutes after the scheduled start time. If you do not see if right away, wait a few moments and try refreshing your Internet tab.
Documents
5/16/2023
