Widespread hazards found in Amherst's low-income housing program

WASHINGTON – A contractor for Amherst approved substandard low-income housing in 90 percent of the units that federal investigators studied, according to an audit that found widespread electrical hazards and other problems ranging from peeling paint to an insect infestation in the approved homes.

Of 70 housing units that auditors took a look at, 63 failed to meet quality standards and 41 were “materially noncompliant,” the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Inspector General said in a report released last week.

“These 41 units included 460 violations that were determined to be pre-existing at the time of the contractor’s last inspection and created living conditions that were not decent, safe and sanitary for tenants,” auditors said.

Auditors found the problems in the town’s Housing Choice Voucher program, which gives low-income residents vouchers to find housing in the town.

Read more: http://buffalonews.com/2016/12/18/audit-finds-widespread-hazards-amherst-section-8-public-housing/