DATE: Wednesday, November 12, 1997          TAG: 9711120446

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B9   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY LOUIS HANSEN, STAFF WRITER 

DATELINE: SUFFOLK                           LENGTH:   50 lines

SUFFOLK'S HOUSING AGENCY GETS ANOTHER HIGH RATING

After years as a housing authority of ill repute, the Suffolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority has retained its high-performer rating from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for the second year in a row.

HUD bestowed the complimentary designation after the agency earned a near-perfect score of 98.5 percent in eight general categories.

``We got over the hump last year for the first time ever,'' said Executive Director Clarissa E. McAdoo. ``It's just absolutely wonderful.''

The appellation will increase the agency's opportunity to win federal grants, including four applications pending with HUD, she said.

Those applications are for programs to develop safe neighborhood zones around the Hoffler public housing community and Hollywood community; two welfare-to-work training programs for residents of public housing; and a drug elimination initiative.

The rating, given in late October, also means that federal bookeepers will review the Suffolk housing authority books annually. Troubled agencies are reviewed at least twice a year.

Two years ago, the Suffolk agency was receiving low marks.

The beleaguered agency went through three directors in four years, was forced to repay $120,000 in federal funding and was scrutinized by HUD officials on a semi-annual basis.

Board member Jack Vaughan said the agency's turnaround has been a gradual process from when he joined the board six years ago.

Then, board members' agenda packets were filled with imperfect accounting and sloppy financial statements, he said.

``If they were correct,'' said Vaughan, a retired CPA, ``it was only a coincidence.''

Vaughan credited the staff and board for the improved rating.

``It's a continuation of an effort that began four or five years ago,'' he said. ``It's not something that transpired overnight.''

Board member Jean L. Copeland credited the transformation to hard staff work under the direction of the executive director. ``She's doing an excellent job,'' Copeland said.

This year, HUD noted improvements in rent collection and grant fund management.

The lowest grade - a ``C'' - came in the area of inspection of systems, such as heating, plumbing and air conditioning. The housing authority earned ``A'' grades for its vacancy rate and turnaround time, modernization, low rate of uncollected rent, financial management, resident services and security.

The agency owns 466 public housing units and manages 1,200 rent-subsidized apartments. It has an annual budget of $3 million. KEYWORDS: SUFFOLK REDEVELOPMENT AND HOUSING AUTHORITY

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