SPRINGDALE -- Frogs greet guests as Judy Thiara shows off her bathroom. The cheerful figures sit on shelves and adorn the walls. Froggie hooks hold the froggie shower curtain.
But before the frogs took over the lily pad, the Springdale Housing Authority upgraded Thiara's bathroom.
Thiara lives at Phillips Plaza (also known as Applegate Apartments), one of two complexes operated by the Springdale Housing Authority.
The authority spent $247,000 this year updating the bathrooms in 26 units at Phillips Plaza, said Mary James, director of the public housing program. Bathrooms in the other property already sport updates, which were completed in previous years. And more are planned for next year.
Thiara's bathroom in her 410-square-foot efficiency is small by today's standards, but she is pleased. "There's plenty of room in there to do what I need to do," Thiara said.
The room is bright now, and Thiara said she appreciates the bigger vanity and marble-look shower inset with bars and a bench.
"It really helps me because I had back and neck surgery," said the 65-year-old, who was wearing a neck brace. "And it's much easier to clean."
James showed an older bathroom in a vacant apartment at Phillips Plaza. It was covered in moss-green tile, usable, but from another era. A neighbor expressed excitement when told her bathroom would be updated this coming year.
"As the money comes, we plan on doing the other apartments, unless something else comes up that needs immediate attention," she said.
James expects another three to four years to complete the bathroom renovations. Then the authority might look at the units' kitchens, "but we don't know what we'll need next."
The authority makes the updates using money from the Capital Fund Program of the Department of Housing and Urban Development. James said the Housing Authority will get nearly $350,000 in this round of funding unless it's cut. She doesn't yet know how much they will get in the next round.
The capital fund supports agencies with the development, financing and modernization of housing complexes and for management improvements, according to the HUD website.
The government agency owns the buildings because federal money paid to build the complexes in 1971 and 1982, James said. The authority receives no funding from the city.
James said she noticed the roofs on all the properties needed replacing when she became director three years ago. HUD money paid for those.
The Housing Authority supplemented the federal funds with money from its reserve to complete this year's renovations, James said. The cost of construction is high in Northwest Arkansas because the growth of development here keeps contractors in demand. Each bathroom this year cost about $9,500 to renovate.
The authority fills its reserve account when operation of the properties comes in below budget, James explained. The authority has nearly $500,000 in reserve. The annual cost of operation is between $900,000 and $1 million, she said.
James and her staff rely on rent money and operation subsidies from HUD.
"The rents from the tenants don't cover all our expenses," she said. "But we try to be good stewards of our money." She said a recent switch to an internet telephone service cut the monthly bill by $2,000, which then can be used for other projects.
James said the HUD funding is based on a performance score after an inspection. The Springdale authority earned "high achieving," and thus, should received more money than other locations.
"A local housing authority that is designated a high performer may receive a performance bonus that is 5 percent above its base formula amount," reads the HUD website.
The Springdale Housing Authority rents 197 units in efficiency, one-, two-, three-, four- and five-bedroom apartments, and always has a waiting list, James said. Depending on the size of the apartment the wait might be six to eight months. The wait for a four-bedroom can be longer than two years.
"But I can't make people move," she said.
Anyone may apply for a unit, but priority is given to potential tenants who are elderly and disabled, James said.
Rents are based on 30 percent of the tenant's adjusted income. Allowances are given for children, medical expenses and more. "There's just a lot of variables," James said.
Once a tenant's rent reaches $1,000 month, they generally move, James said. "That's the intent of public housing. The program is intended to be a leg up."
NW News on 12/17/2018