HUD Places Housing Agency on Probation for Lax Controls

ORLANDO-The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has come down hard on the five-member Sanford Housing Authority but stopped short of labeling the group a troubled agency.

HUD’s long-awaited report was given to Sanford Mayor Larry Dale after six weeks of investigating the housing group. Dale has given the authority’s members until April 11 to respond to his termination notice to them. The mayor accused the board members of malfeasance in carrying out their duties.

HUD is ordering the authority to get prior approval on all expenditures not included in future annual budgets. The agency also wants a final say in the selection of a new executive director for the housing board.