Housing Authority cracking down on fraud
May 22—ANDERSON — The Anderson Housing Authority is cracking down on fraud and waste in providing housing for local residents.
Kim Townsend, executive director of AHA, said Wednesday the staff is looking for people who are failing to report income or having additional people living in the home.
"The result could be a loss of benefits," she said. "The staff is doing a good job of keeping track of our clients."
Board member Rob Spaulding said the actions of the staff are a way to build confidence among local residents.
Townsend said through the security system at AHA properties, which includes cameras, they have zero tolerance of criminal activity.
"We're not turning a blind eye on activities on our properties."
She said it was recently discovered that an unlocked property was being used for possible criminal activity.
"We're working with the Anderson Police Department," Townsend said. "They were captured on our security camera. It's under investigation. We cooperate with the police as a way to keep our tenants safe."
The staff said it is focusing on getting clients into three-bedroom units.
Five vacancies at Lynwood Village are expected to be occupied by the end of May.
The agency currently has a waiting list of 80 clients needing three-bedroom units.
The current waiting list has 130 families waiting on one-bedroom apartments; 127 awaiting two-bedroom housing and 51 seeking a four-bedroom housing unit.
Kevin Sulc said the agency is planning to request from the Anderson City Council at the June meeting the vacating of the alleys to the east and north of the office for the construction of a maintenance facility that will include security fencing.
Follow Ken de la Bastide on Twitter @KendelaBastide, or call 765-640-4863.
