BUFFALO, NY - The executive director of the Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority got a grilling from city lawmakers, on how some residents in public housing went without heat and hot water last month for two weeks.
2 On Your Side has been staying on top of this story.
Dawn Sanders-Garrett, Executive Director of the BMHA, refused to do an interview with 2 On Your Side about why residents in the Frederick Douglass townhomes went without heat and hot water last month. But she did accept an invitation to speak to city lawmakers.
"In your opinion, did the system work or did the system fail?" asked Common Council president Darius Pridgen.
"In this situation, Shinda Management is responsible for the health and safety of the residents," Sanders-Garrett responded. "I stepped in because after getting numerous calls about the situation."
The BMHA owns Frederick Douglass townhomes, but Shinda Management is supposed to take care of the property.
Shinda officials say they got their first report of no heat from someone living there January 11, but the BMHA shot down their proposal to fix it because of the cost. So, they put space heaters in the apartment and put in a new, cheaper system a week later.
When asked why it took days, Sanders-Garrett said, "I think the management company had a desire to keep the family in place as long as they could."
All this, while several BMHA commissioners are preparing for a trip to Las Vegas next week for training.
A spokesperson tells 2 On Your Side the trip was approved last month without a price tag for the conference, hotel, or airfare.
"We're still in the process of laying out all the costs will be," Sanders-Garrett responded when asked how much the Vegas trip would cost.
"How do you explain to people that you guys are going to go on, not you personally, but some BMHA board members are going to go on a trip while they're dealing with bed bugs back here and dealing with no hot water and heat issues?" 2 On Your Side asked.
"Training is something that our board members need to do," Sanders-Garrett said.
The executive director of the BMHA is not going to Vegas, because of a travel restriction on top staff, which doesn't apply to board members.
The housing authority says it has not decided whether to renew its contract with Shinda Management, which expires in August.