Asbury Park Housing Authority Sets Path For Independence
Administrative Assistant Hired & Search For Executive Director Begins as Sahlin steps down from LBHA
The road to independence was unanimously approved Monday night by the Asbury Park Housing Authority [APHA] Board of Commissioners.
On the very day its interlocal contract agreement with the Long Branch Housing Authority [LBHA] was due to expire, the Board voted to approve a 6 month extension, thereby allowing them time to hire an executive director, as well as a maintenance and finance director, and a site manager.
Board Chair Greg Hopson said they have advertised and will be accepting applications for the executive director position through May 18.
“As we hire new people we will withdraw services from Long Branch,” Hopson said.
The two authority’s have agreed to a three month review to ensure the transition is on course, Hopson said.
Last month, the APHA hired Tinton Falls resident Qaasim ‘Q’ Johnson [at right], who will serve as administrative assistant to the new director. Johnson, who is married to Asbury Park native Lakisha [Walker], has two children – ages 13 and 16.
“I welcomed the job because I saw it as an opportunity to give back to the community,” Johnson, the former general manager at a law firm, said. “I have watched this community through its ups and downs, and as I watch the community begin to thrive again, I want to be apart of that.”
The night also included the announcement that Interim Long Branch Housing Authority Executive Director Tom Sahlin will be stepping down from his post Wednesday. Sahlin took over the post in October 2017 after former Executive Director Tyrone Garrett’s departure.
Sahlin, a former Long Branch Housing Authority Assistant Comptroller, lives in Ocean Township with his wife and two children – ages two 2 and 6 and. He will be replaced by Gloria Wright, who previously served at the Newark and Camden Housing authorities.
Sahlin said his post as interim director helped him come to the realization that he could not go back to solely workingf in finance.
“I want to thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve as interim director,” Sahlin said. “I found that my calling is not just sitting behind a computer screen but to help people.”
The resolution vote outlines a six month long process to separate administration of the local public housing authority from LBHA, which has governed the local agency for the past six years.
The LBHA will have until month’s end to return all electronic and hard copies of APHA records to the local agency.
On Wednesday, the Asbury Park City Council voted to renew APHA appointments for Vice Chairman Frank Syphax, Angeline Brown and Charlotte Wise. They will serve through 2023.
“This will allow us to remain a cohesive board for at least the next four years, which will give us the opportunity to remain working closely together,” Hopson said. “HUD has complimented us on going from a dysfunctional board to a functional board in a short period of time.”
Because of funding support from the federal Housing and Urban Development agency, APHA must yield to financial and administrative oversight.
In March, the APHA closed on its financial agreement for the new Boston Way [at right] project, currently underway. Instead, the the Authority is now in the midst of doing a needs assessment at the senior buildings and have begun to update all the laundry rooms and elevators before addressing bathroom updates.
In the interim, they are moving forward with its plans to redevelop Lincoln Village, funded in
part through the $500,000 Choice Neighborhoods Planning Grant from the U.S. Housing and Urban Development [HUD].
The Asbury Park Housing Authority buildings include 358 units in its Dr. Robinson Towers [above right where its headquarters are located], Lumley Homes, Comstock Court, Asbury Park Village, Washington Village, and Lincoln Village.
The Boston Way is expected to be complete by early 2019.
The $28 million mixed-income redevelopment project features 104 rental units that include 21 one-bedroom, 62 two-bedroom, and 21 three-bedroom apartments.
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