HUD Scandal and Area Housing Staff

The recent articles in the Times Orange County Edition about the way the Orange County Housing and Community Development Agency has administered federal Housing and Urban Development funds for housing rehabilitation are, from my experience, completely in error or vastly exaggerated.

While I realize that you were only reporting the conclusions of other bureaucrats and possibly bringing to your readers a local example of a national scandal, I feel you have done a real disservice to Orange County HCD and its housing rehabilitation staff.

In 1982, our family qualified for a low-income loan for housing improvement under the then-applicable HUD guidelines. Before we even began planning our improvement, we were reminded several times that the completed structure would have to meet all current Orange County building codes, including the preexisting part that was not to be remodeled.

A thorough inspection was made by a member of the HCD staff to determine if any changes were required to the existing structure. Only after those changes were made or included in the scheduled improvement were we allowed to proceed. Inspections were made by HCD staff at several stages of construction and on completion to make sure these changes were made. The financial side of the project was carefully monitored during all phases.

I also know of several other projects that were completed in Midway City using funds from HUD. In each case, the project was required to meet the building code in its entirety at completion.

I think it is unfortunate that this fine program and the Orange County HCD housing rehabilitation staff are being maligned as being part of a problem at the national level.

ALAN L. UMMEL

Midway City