Auditor's report blasts Romney over unfit public housing units

The state auditor blasted the Romney administration's funding of public housing yesterday, saying that thousands of residents -- including the working poor, disabled veterans, and the elderly -- are living in unsafe and unsanitary conditions.

More than 1,000 units are in such disrepair that they are sitting vacant, even as 81,000 people are on waiting lists, according to a report issued by state Auditor A. Joseph DeNucci .

In addition, the review of 66 of 247 housing authorities statewide cited many examples of health and safety issues, including missing hand railings, cracked and damaged foundations, deteriorating concrete on stairs and sidewalks, extensive mold and mildew damage, rotted window frames, and areas damaged by rodent and insect infestation. At one development that had been reviewed by auditors on Clifford Avenue in Brockton, a sign had been posted on the door by the city's Health Department declaring that the unit was ``unfit for human habitation."

``This is an unacceptable situation," DeNucci said in a statement. ``The Department of Housing and Community Development has to do a much better job in fulfilling its responsibility to provide decent and livable public housing to those who deserve it."

The report largely blames the problems on underfunding and mismanagement, saying that the agency had owed the local authorities more than $7.75 million in overdue subsidies for fiscal years 2002 through 2005.

Although the money was distributed in late July, the report said, the delay forced authorities to put off much-needed maintenance and repairs, reduce staff and salaries, and deplete reserve funds.

The financial mismanagement also raises legal issues, the report said, because state law mandates safe and sanitary conditions in public housing.

State officials, who said they saw a draft of the report months ago, challenged the findings, saying 70 percent of the problems have either been fixed or are in the process of being fixed.

``At face value, we don't necessarily agree with everything that's in the audit," said Phil Hailer , spokesman for the Department of Housing and Community Development.

Over the past year the department has made some improvements, Hailer said, by making repairs to units, and by computerizing its budgeting system to better keep track of problems at different housing authorities.

In addition, he said, the appropriation for public housing has increased by $11 million this fiscal year to $45 million, Hailer said. Massachusetts is one of two states -- the other being New York -- that offer state-funded as well as federally funded housing, Hailer added.

Still, the auditor's office said that problems never should have become so serious.

``Would these situations have been fixed had there not been an audit?" asked Glenn Briere , DeNucci's spokesman.

The way public housing works, Briere said, tenants are charged limited rent and the state is required to make up the difference in the costs needed to keep the developments operating.

Megan Tench can be reached at mtench@globe.com.