Washington, DC - Today, Congressman Van Drew sent a letter to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Marcia Fudge, requesting an immediate federal takeover of the Atlantic City Housing Authority (the Authority) for its complete failure in ensuring the safety of South Jersey residents. 

"Because of the total lack of leadership by the Atlantic City Housing Authority and its complete inability to do its job, families in the Authority's communities have been left with no heat and no hot water as we approach the height of winter, which will have significant impacts on the health of its residents. This is unacceptable and deeply disturbing that Atlantic City bureaucrats have faced no accountability and no consequences for the terrible conditions residents are faced with," said Congressman Van Drew. "We gave the Authority more than enough time to remedy its failures, but it is clear that it does not possess the ability, nor competency, to get the job done. Therefore, the federal government must immediately take over the Authority so residents can have safe and livable conditions. 

"Mothers, fathers, children, grandchildren - they do not care about bureaucracy, but they do care about having heat and hot water in their homes during New Jersey winters. Residents cannot wait another six to twelve months for a remedy. Residents needed action from the Authority yesterday. The Authority failed them, and as such, I now urgently request HUD to come in and take over as soon as possible. Lives depend on it."

Click here to read the full letter. 

Background: 

• One year ago, Rep. Van Drew requested HUD audit the Authority;
• HUD's audit of the Authority found 75 distinct compliance violations; 
• Violations include failures on repairs, procurement, inventory control, governance, and accountability protocol; 
• HUD gave the Authority an annual rating of 45 out of 100, a scoring which resulted in HUD designating the Authority as "troubled".