HUD gives back control of agency
MIAMI (AP) – The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development on Thursday returned control of the Miami-Dade housing agency to the county, ending a temporary takeover that began more than a year ago.
HUD Deputy Secretary Roy A. Bernardi met with County Mayor Carlos Alvarez and County Manager George Burgess to return possession, according to a news release. The federal department had taken control of the agency to try and resolve serious management problems.
“I’m very happy,” Alvarez said. “I’m glad that it’s over.”
Alvarez said he has noticed significant changes in the agency during the time it was under HUD’s control, specifically citing improvements to its financial department.
“The entire leadership structure has been changed,” Alvarez said. “The financial systems, the technology, their philosophy, their work ethic – everything has been changed.”
A Miami Herald reporter won a Pulitzer Prize for the paper’s coverage of the housing agency’s problems.
“We are pleased to announce that the Miami-Dade Housing Agency is a more efficient institution than it was a little over a year ago when HUD took possession,” HUD Secretary Steve Preston said in a statement. “It was my intention to work cooperatively with Miami-Dade’s leadership and Congressional representation to resolve any matters that stand in the way of providing Miami families and taxpayers the best possible customer service.”