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New policy aims to protect public-housing residents

Laurie Wink
The News-Dispatch

MICHIGAN CITY - The Michigan City Housing Authority now has an approved written policy and appeals procedure for banning people from public housing property, effective Nov. 1.

The Housing Authority board approved the policy Monday. Board chairwoman Carla Mock said the policy gives members of the Community Safety Team the ability to enforce provisions that protect the health and safety of residents, their visitors and guests.

"It will make sure public housing is safe for tenants," Mock said. "The general policy tells what's banned. It applies to visitors and non-residents if they commit crimes."

The Community Safety Team consists of Lenda Wilson, Housing Authority executive director, and the department heads of public housing and law enforcement officers on the security team. The new policy applies to Boulevard Garden, 621 E. Michigan Blvd., and Lakeland Estates, 226 Merrihill Drive.

Written investigative reports will be given to the safety committee for action against people who are charged with or convicted of a drug-related crime, or if evidence exists they engaged in drug-related crimes. The same procedure will be followed for a long list of other crimes specified in the policy.

Residents will be notified of people on the ban list through postings in property offices and in a newsletter. Those on the ban list may submit a written appeal any time after the ban has started. According to the policy, the ban will not be longer than a year except for those convicted of a drug-related or other crime, who will be banned for five years after the conviction date.

In other business, the commissioners authorized Wilson to draft a new memorandum of agreement with the North Central Community Action Agencies; authorized sale of a parcel at Coolspring Avenue and Salem Court to the city, under provisions of eminent domain, for the offered price of $2,820; and were notified a verbal agreement was reached with the Teamsters Union on a three-year contract for Housing Authority maintenance workers.



Contact Laurie Wink at lwink@thenewsdispatch.com.