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City may sever contract with Section 8 administrator

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By Jessica Heffner, Staff Writer Updated 5:21 PM Saturday, September 18, 2010

MIDDLETOWN — The city could be shopping for a new Section 8 program administrator as council considers terminating its contract with Consoc Housing Consultants at its housing meeting Tuesday, Sept. 21.

Consoc handles the administration of Middletown’s 1,662 vouchers used to obtain subsidized housing within the city.

Through funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Middletown has a budget of more than $12 million for the program. Of that, Consoc receives $924,000, according to city records.

Judy Gilleland, Middletown city manager, said officials met with Consoc Sept. 14 to discuss the ongoing deficiencies outlined in an April letter to the company.

While some effort was made in May to address the city’s concerns, during the summer that progress ceased, she said.

“It has become very evident that Consoc is not meeting the demands that we have placed upon them,” she said. “We believe it is time to seriously consider alternatives for administration of our program.”

Which deficiencies Consoc has failed to correct will be outlined at the Tuesday meeting, Gilleland said.

Officials at Consoc did not return phone calls and e-mails seeking comment.

Gilleland said there are several options in place to acquire a new administrator of council votes to terminate the contract.

Plans will be presented at the housing authority meeting beginning at 5:30 p.m. in council chambers, One Donham Plaza.

Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2843 or jheffner@coxohio.com.