Home News $1.2 Million Repair Bill in Limbo as HUD Postpones Meeting

$1.2 Million Repair Bill in Limbo as HUD Postpones Meeting

1800
SHARE

A meeting between local Housing Authority officials and the federal Department of  Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is postponed.

The meeting had been scheduled for Friday (March 21) to resolve issues related to repayment for work the City of Ocean City facilitated in repairing a low-income housing project in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy.

Disaster recovery crews were on site at Pecks Beach Village in Ocean City in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy in November 2012.

The city spent $1.2 million to remediate flood damage and return displaced residents to their homes. It expects to be reimbursed from disaster relief and flood insurance payments received by the Housing Authority.

The Housing Authority fears potential repercussions from procedures and guidelines that were not followed in the rebuilding effort. It voted in early March to seek guidance from HUD.

Housing Authority Board of Commissioners Vice Chair Stephen Lalli said on Friday that HUD officials are meeting with general counsel in Washington, D.C., to review the situation and relevant documentation. Friday’s meeting was postponed pending completion of the review.

“I think we’ll definitely get answers once the review is complete,” Lalli said.

HUD officials could not give a firm timeline, Lalli said, but he believes they are shooting for the end of the month.