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The <strong>Ludlow</strong> Housing Authority's Operating Budget is approved by the Department <strong>of</strong> Housing & CommunityDevelopment. For <strong>2011</strong>, a total Operating Budget <strong>of</strong> $681,858 was requested, with an anticipated revenue <strong>of</strong>$708,100 in total revenue, thereby requesting zero subsidy from the state. Continually, through cost savingmeasures, the LHA has not required subsidy from the state.The <strong>Ludlow</strong> Housing Authority gives local preference housing applicants residing in <strong>Ludlow</strong> before applicantsresiding elsewhere. Local veterans are also given a preference status in elderly/disabled housing. In addition,Chapter 179 <strong>of</strong> the Acts <strong>of</strong> 1995 allowed for the lowering <strong>of</strong> the eligibility age in elderly housing to sixty (60); apreference for veterans in the community in which they reside; and a placement rate <strong>of</strong> eighty-six and one halfpercent (86.5%) for elderly persons and thirteen and one half percent (13.5%) for non-elderly handicapped personsin public housing.The waiting list for the elderly/handicapped developments as <strong>of</strong> December 31, <strong>2011</strong> - (1-bedroom) consists <strong>of</strong> (119)applicants; (2-bedroom) consists <strong>of</strong> (5) applicants; (6) congregate applicant, while the waiting list for the familydevelopments consists <strong>of</strong> (102) applicants. During <strong>2011</strong> there were (28) vacancies in the elderly/handicapped unitsand (2) vacancies in the family units. Based on the number <strong>of</strong> elderly/handicapped units within the <strong>Ludlow</strong> HousingAuthority, the average age <strong>of</strong> a unit occupant is 68. The average monthly rent is $366.04 per unit which includesheat, hot water and electricity. The average monthly rent for family units is $466 per month.The Board <strong>of</strong> Health utilized the Wilson Street Community room for weekly blood pressure clinics on Wednesdaymornings at 10:00 a.m. Many thanks go out to the <strong>Town</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Ludlow</strong> Nursing Staff who came out to meet with thetenants to discuss health issues and perform free monitoring <strong>of</strong> vital signs <strong>of</strong> our seniors and handicappedpopulation. A week does not go by at the Authority where the staff and tenants view the <strong>Town</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Ludlow</strong> nursescoming and going between housing units to support the elderly. Our sincerest appreciation goes to the <strong>Ludlow</strong>Nursing Department for their support and dedication to the elderly and disabled residing within the Authority.Through the Department <strong>of</strong> Housing & Community Development, in order to maintain safe, decent, affordablehousing for those in need, all housing authorities within Massachusetts began the process <strong>of</strong> capital planning. Acomputerized system has been initiated by the Department in order to formulate, in one area, all past, present andfuture projects and needs <strong>of</strong> local authorities. Once information is placed within the system, modernization needsand costs can be tracked and placed on priority lists.Through DHCD regulation, all authorities within Massachusetts must complete annual inspections <strong>of</strong> each housingunit. To this end, during the month <strong>of</strong> August, <strong>2011</strong>, through the Department <strong>of</strong> Housing & CommunityDevelopment the LHA staff completed Facility Management Training on Physical Condition Standards andInspectional Training Methods. This training will assist staff in the inspection and evaluation <strong>of</strong> each housing unit.A rigorous application process through the Affordable Housing Trust Fund garnished funding ($8,800) to modernizea 3-bedroom family unit.The LHA successfully applied for a federal grant in the amount <strong>of</strong> $153,000 to replace nine boilers within familyunits as well as two buildings housing the elderly. The project was completed in September <strong>of</strong> <strong>2011</strong>. Boilerreplacements were performed by L.N. King Plumbing & Heating Company.Working with WMECO and Advanced Energy Group, the Authority was able to replace indoor common area andoutdoor lighting to both the Chestnut and Wilson Street Development. The cost <strong>of</strong> this program, absorbed byWMECO's Energy Program, $55,520 nets an annual savings in electric utility costs <strong>of</strong> $10,184 for the Authority.The LHA is grateful to Western Massachusetts Electric Company and Advanced Energy Group for their hard workand dedication to the <strong>Ludlow</strong> Housing Authority. The State State Street Development will be assessed in early 2012for energy cost savings.As was a very hard winter season 2010, the financial burden <strong>of</strong> repairs to gutters, a 90 foot overhang connectingthree buildings within the Wilson Street Development as well as building damage totaled $54,000. Repairs andmodernization to the overhang and buildings was performed by Robert W. Wall Construction Company.69
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