HOUSING AUTHORITY LIASON

The Framingham Housing Authority and the Framingham Police Department began a part-time program in 1994 after reviewing issues in its developments that took both time and resources from the Police and Housing staff. After seeing much success at a part-time level and the work multiplying it was decided in 1996 to form a fulltime partnership to enhance the quality of life for the residents of the Framingham Housing. The Authority subsidizes approximately 800 housing units under the Section 8 Federal Rental Assistance Program throughout the town and also owns 1069 public housing units. As the Program has evolved so hasn’t what is expected of the residents. The Housing Authority Liaison Officer Bradford Newman and a staff person from the Authority review all applications for Housing. A criminal background check is done an all applicants and household members over seventeen (17) years of age. Under a special agreement with the FBI, criminal records from out of state are also requested when a background check on all applicants is done and reveals residency outside of Massachusetts. Any applicant with a history of violent or drug related crimes is denied housing- Once denied the applicant has a right to appeal and at the appeal a decision is made to uphold the denial or allow the applicant housing. In 2005 the Authority had hearing with fifty six (56) denials – out of the fifty six applicants who appealed only six (6) were allowed housing. In 2005 there were fifteen (15) residents evicted through the courts who were major problems to both the Housing Authority and the Police Department. The Liaison Officer serves as a witness in court for the Housing Authority in eviction cases. POLICE - LANDLORD PARTNERSHIP This program allows the Police and local Landlords to work together. The goal is to partnership in keeping the quality of life at a high level for both Tenants and the Neighborhoods. The partnership allows the Housing Liaison Officer and Landlord to be in direct contact with each other. In turn both the Police and Landlord have a working relationship that benefits both the Community and Landlords. To learn more about this Program you can e-mail the Liaison Officer at bpn@framinghamma.gov or call 508-532-5646