SSM managerial takeover at Hilltop under scrutiny

What first appeared a certainty when the Rogers City Housing Commission began looking into having Lutheran Social Services of Michigan take over the managerial aspects of Hilltop Manor has now run into problems with Housing and Urban Development requirements and approval. HUD has requested the housing commission not make a final decision on acquiring LSSM for a managerial role until after an informational meeting can be conducted later this month.

A phone conference call was conducted following the regular housing commission meeting at Hilltop Manor Thursday. Participating in the call were Hilltop director Pete Ardini, Rogers City manager John Bruning, commissioners Larry Syrett, Bobbie Urlaub, and Fred Lewis, and Detroit?s HUD director Rita Robinson.

?HUD basically said they do not think LSSM has the experience necessary in dealing with public housing according to HUD requirements,? Ardini said. Ardini was quick to note that HUD did not say no to the LSSM managerial takeover, but suggested an informational meeting to clear the air and provide information to all concerned.

?A MEETING date will be set up within the next several weeks,? said Ardini. ?The meeting will be between HUD officials and the housing commission, and LSSM also will be invited to attend.? Ardini said the meeting will include

information regarding the HUD requirements and regulations for public housing. ?This meeting will give the commissioners more training in public housing,? Ardini said. ?The decision is actually the commissioners whether or not to go with LSSM.? The commission has approved making the trip to the meeting which will be conducted at an as yet undisclosed location somewhere between Rogers City and Detroit.

?Another main concern in the transition is the fact that the commissioners need to know what LSSM will provide in the way of services for the $15,000 cost needed to take over the management services,? Ardini added.

Ardini said it would probably take the commission up to several months to analyze the information from the meeting before they will ultimately make the LSSM takeover decision.