Wallingford Votes to Bring in New Haven Housing Authority

The issue of who will retain management of the elderly and moderate income housing units under the purview of the Wallingford Housing Authority is settled —at least for the next 90 days.

Last week the Housing Authority Board of Commissioners voted to approve the Housing Authority of New Haven to take over management of the Wallingford Authority's 319 units beginning Feb. 1. The agreement is in effect until April 30.

In that three-month period, New Haven housing officials will assess the state of the Wallingford operations and issue a report on their findings, including recommendations on what improvements are necessary.

According to Jasmin Franjul of the Housing Authority of New Haven, over the next 90 days, part of what HANH is primarily doing for WHA
includes:

• making an assessment of the existing strengths /weaknesses
• appoint its COO along with three staff members to conduct on-site assessments
• develop a plan/proposal outlining findings and recommendations

"Should it arise, HANH would engage in discussions related to continuing the relationship with WHA after the 90 days," Franjul said.

The Wallingford Housing Authority oversees 132 moderate income rental units and 187 elderly housing units at seven locations. 

DeMarco Property Management took over management of the units about a year ago after Wallingford HA executive director Stephen Nere left in November 2011 after disagreements over the use of his authority-owned car, according to the New Haven Register.

But DeMarco recently notified the Wallingford Housing Authority that it would be pulling out of the town as of Jan. 31, leaving it to find another management partner. 

DeMarco comptroller Matt Fontaine did not return a call for comment on Thursday as to why his company decided to pull out of Wallingford. Board Chairman Michael Misiti also couldn't be reached for comment.