Editorial: Standards and money go together

Tuesday, March 11, 2003 | 8:54 a.m.

It will take a lot more than a new coat of paint and some landscaping to upgrade living standards at the federally subsidized Sierra Pointe apartment complex. Plans for the paint and landscaping were mentioned by Kenneth LoBene, director of the local Housing and Urban Development office, when questioned about the condition of the 10-building complex. LoBene defended Sierra Vista Housing Associates, owner of the complex, saying the "property appears to be well run."

LoBene does not share the perspective of the Clark County Housing Authority. Citing irreconcilable problems with Sierra Pointe, the authority is planning to end its contract to administer the federal subsidies for the complex's 160 apartments. LoBene certainly does not share the perspective of surrounding property owners, property managers and businessmen who together make up the Cambridge Area Management Council. The council has written a letter protesting crime emanating from the complex, located west of Maryland Parkway at Cambridge Street and Sierra Vista Drive. Neither does LoBene share the perspective of 150 area residents who signed a petition denouncing conditions at the complex.

We agree with the signers that Sierra Pointe represents a failure in public housing. Maintenance is sorely lacking and crime is a major problem. Metro Police records show officers responded to calls at the complex 497 times last year. Residents say gangs, drug trafficking and violence are common. One mother who lives at the complex tells of gunfire erupting at least twice a week, forcing her and her children to hug the floor.

Our view is that HUD, source of the subsidy money, needs to regularly inspect the complex and hold the property owner and residents accountable for its condition. The property owner needs to maintain at least minimum property standards. Additionally, HUD should ensure that behavior standards for tenants are enforced, with eviction proceedings awaiting those who intentionally damage the property or commit crimes involving personal injury, weapons or drug trafficking. The federal government must be a source of standards as well as money.