Survey cites RHA on progress, but work not finished

REVERE-The Housing Authority has made progress in renovating some of its 899 apartments, but a recent report concludes more work must be done.The brief survey was prepared for Mayor Thomas Ambrosino by Authority Director Linda Marie Shaw, who noted that the Authority used over $280,000 each of the past two years to repair residential buildings on Rose Street, Broadway, Hutchinson Street and three other streets.The money covered repairs to handrails, lighting and bulkheads. Shaw said bathroom and kitchen renovations are planned for 194 federally funded units through 2013.?The grounds are well kept and there are no health concerns on these properties,” she told Ambrosino.The Authority faces more significant maintenance problems with its 287 state-funded apartments. Units on Adams and Cooledge streets, Constitution Avenue and Raymond Road need boilers replaced. These buildings also are due for roof replacements and a half dozen apartments “contain some mold,” according to the report.The Authority has hired a consultant to propose a plan for getting rid of the mold.Shaw also reported to Ambrosino that money is not currently available to pay for new bathrooms and kitchens in the Adams Court senior housing units.The Liston Towers senior housing complex will undergo exterior waterproofing this fall and Hyman Towers will see decking and partial roof renovations.One of the Authority?s maintenance success stories is the state planning money it has received to design the renovation of the Garfield Avenue and Eliot Road buildings. Shaw said these residences are “old and outdated” and need a major overhaul.She has pushed for two years to get state approval for a financing plan to sell some Authority property with the proceeds paying for renovations to apartments on Dana and Hichborn streets.?Seven of these properties are in a deteriorated condition. State officials agreed in recent weeks to give RHA planning monies to evaluate the best course of action to take,” she told the mayor, adding, “Families in the worst units are being relocated to more suitable units.”