The subsidized, income-based rents for housing provided by the Portsmouth Metropolitan Housing Authority means it’s easier for residents to pay their rents, since it’s based on how much money they have coming in. But some folks, especially those living in Wayne Hills aren’t paying up on time.
If you exclude Wayne Hills (also known as Kendall Heights), 90% of PMHA residents pay their rent on time. But when you include Wayne Hills, sometimes 50% of the residents are late with the rent. Last August, just 52% of people living in the housing complex paid their rent on time.
Some of the issues could be due to the practice of “lease selling.” That’s when individuals secure apartments in public housing, but then allow other individuals to move in and use the property. These shadow tenants have no real reason to be timely with their payments as it’s not going on their records.
We’ve also spotlighted the issue of out-of-town drug dealers targeting single moms in public housing and moving in to set up shop in their apartments.
However, according to the PMHA’s Executive Director’s Report, the agency does review all police reports for activity on PMHA property.
In other PMHA news, a new key card system has been installed in the Alexandria House laundromat to tackle the issue of homeless individuals camping there at night.
PMHA has also taken over management of Findlay Manor, Shawnee Apartments, and Booker T Washington Apartments in recent months.
Also, the agency is looking at upgrading or replacing playgrounds in Farley Square.
