By Steve Kemme
The Cincinnati Enquirer

HAMILTON - Concerned about a recent federal report that criticized the Butler County Metropolitan Housing Authority, county commissioners want all involved parties to meet and discuss the problems and possible solutions.

Commissioner Mike Fox said Tuesday that sweeping changes need to be made in the Housing Authority.

"Clearly, this agency has failed in its mission," he said. "Basically, this agency needs to be rebuilt."

The commissioners plan to set a date on Thursday for a meeting of Housing Authority board members and those who appointed them.

The Housing Authority, which provides subsidized housing for low-income people, operates under the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and has no connection to Butler County government.

A report by HUD's Troubled Agency Recovery Center found fault with the Housing Authority's finances, tracking, reporting and other practices.

But Leonard M. "Tony" Blaine, the Housing Authority's executive director, and Vincent Sanzone, the agency's board president, said they believe Mr. Fox and other critics have misinterpreted HUD's investigation. They said they don't believe big changes need to be made.

He said his agency has been working for more than a year with HUD on resolving many of the problems cited in the report.

"The commissioners aren't up on what's going on with the Housing Authority and haven't been for years," Mr. Sanzone said. "There certainly are things that need to be addressed. But the overall report and agency performance is not as bad as it's been made to sound."

Mr. Fox and Commissioner Courtney Combs said they're worried that if problems persist, HUD will take over the agency, eliminating all local control.

Of the five Housing Authority board positions, Hamilton appoints two, and the county commissioners, Common Pleas Court and Probate Court each appoint one.

Mr. Combs said he hopes a meeting of the different appointing authorities will result in a consensus on a course of action for improving the agency.

Mr. Fox said all Housing Authority Board members, who serve for no pay, should resign to allow the appointing authorities a chance to select new board members.

But he praised Herman Hill, the Housing Authority board member appointed by the commissioners who has criticized certain agency decisions and practices.

Mr. Combs said he doesn't think blanket board resignations would help.

"I'm not sure that starting over with a completely new board is the right thing to do," he said. "It's my feeling that board members need to really search their souls and say, `Do I want to be a part of this or don't I?' I think you have to give them the opportunity to improve things."

E-mail skemme@enquirer.com