BUFFALO, NY-- A local congressman is quite upset with Buffalo's public housing agency and is calling for a federal investigation.
Rep. Brian Higgins (D) says there are "disgusting" conditions at some facilities owned and operated by the Buffalo Municipal Housing Authorities.
2 On Your Side spoke to Higgins before he left for Washington, DC.
Higgins wrote the acting inspector general for the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and referenced what he called "chronic mismanagement."
In particular, Higgins sited the sightly conditions at the Perry Projects, surrounding several abandoned apartment buildings, which stand among garbage strewn lots with tall weeds. Nearby, several other buildings are occupied.
"There are cats, there are rats, the building is not properly secured ...nobody should have to live next to these kinds of conditions," Higgins said.
The BMHA has claimed in the past that to rehabilitate these buildings would cost $60 million.
However for about a year, Higgins has been calling for the agency to relinquish control of them.
"They could then issue a request for proposals for the redevelopment of both affordable and market rate housing...what I'm asking the Housing Authority to do won't cost the Housing Authority any money," Higgins said.
He says he's tired of the housing authority's delay tactics and he's ready to force them into action.
"I think the incompetence, negligence is going to be uncovered. I hope they take it upon themselves to do what is right, or they will be forced to do it," Higgins said.
In his letter, he noted that BMHA spends more than $45 million a year on operations between rent, federal money and other funding.
In a statement to Two On Your Side, Lynne Patton, Regional Administrator for HUD wrote:
“I share Congressman Higgins’ concern about the physical conditions and vacant units at several Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority developments. HUD will continue to conduct the inspections and oversight that brought these deficiencies to light and provide the technical assistance BMHA clearly needs to implement its corrective action plan. I will also personally commit to providing whatever information is required by HUD’s Inspector General, as they decide on an appropriate response to Congressman Higgins’ request.”