Tuesday, June 15, 1999
Seniors in public housing complain
BY ALLEN HOWARD
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Seniors in four Cincinnati Metropolitan Housing Authority (CMHA) buildings will complain in City Hall today about a lack of security, poor management, mixed living and general safety.
Late Monday, 70 seniors had signed up to appear before council's Neighborhood & Small Business Committee.
“My main complaint is that there is no management,” said Ray Perkins, 70, a resident in Maple Tower in Avondale. “We see the manager about 30 minutes in 30 days. If we talk about our complaints, they fall on deaf ears.”
Vernon Solomon, 73, of the Reading Apartments in Avondale, said that after 6 p.m., there is no one around to open the doors in case of an emergency.
Both complained of a security patrol that operates from midnight until 4 a.m.
“Batteries are stolen and many times gas is siphoned out of cars,” Mr. Perkins said. “I just spent $150 to replace two batteries someone took from my car. I used to work in security and it is a known fact that thieves strike between 3 and 5 a.m.”
They also complained of seniors having to live in the same building with younger drug addicts.
“I just don't think your 80-year-old grandmother should be living in the same building with an 18-year-old recovering drug addict. These buildings are supposed to be for seniors,” Mr. Perkins said.
CMHA executive director Donald Troendle said he thinks there is adequate security through a system of cameras and computers.
“There is a dispute as to whether we should have 24-hour security versus having a CMHA staffer there all the time,” Mr. Troendle said. “We have spent close to a million dollars setting up adequate security and it has shown that crime has dropped.”
Mr. Troendle said a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) regulation allows people with certain disabilities to live in CMHA buildings for seniors.
He said the CMHA buildings were constructed years ago for seniors only. But a HUD regulation changed that.
“If they are eligible, we can't discriminate. But we have an aggressive eviction policy. If there is a disturbance, we don't hesitate to evict,” Mr. Troendle said.
The appearance in City Hall today is coordinated by the Avondale Public Safety Task Force. Chairman Tom Jones said the seniors are from Maple Tower, the President, Reading and Beachwood apartments, all in Avondale.
Hospitals give critical care to Y2K plans
Luken: Council has him 'pumped'
No replacement yet for Luken at Channel 5
Too many deer parked here
Boy's eye for detail helps nab suspects
Father gets prison time
Help comes to disabled people
Highway no toll on Butler drivers
Teacher owes to Rosa Parks
Worm dirties work week
Dial 'N' for Naked Cowboy
Oldenberg loses fizz, files for reorganization
President plans July 23 stop here
Research backs benefits of soy
Youth shot in Columbia Twp.; suspects sought
100 years, 10 stars
Controversy surrounds man's arrest
County wins in Supreme Court
Guilty plea in creek slaying
Stores sop up damage
Donation will buy 4 cameras
Lakota to dissect school day
Lt. governor talks school safety
Newport cool to idea of 911 study
Seniors in public housing complain
2 men indicted for in audio thefts
Center project stymies council
Despite calls, twisters didn't hit Boone Co.
Former GOP leader Eric Deters to run for Kenton attorney in 2002
Gannett unveils ethics rules
Kentucky teen struck by lightning
Lebanon looks at zone changes
Limo owner convicted of evidence tampering
Mediation ordered in Justin case
State recommends 12th St. plan
Symmes Township administrator resigns
Vote soon on Fort Wash. Way cost hikes
GET TO IT
TRISTATE DIGEST
