Let's NOT Build More

How did crime and violence become 'the norm' in HUD, DHCD, and MassHousing financed multifamily housing complexes? 

September 2008, The Patriot Ledger reported some of the crime and violence in Rockland, Massachusetts with an accurate description of a multifamily apartment complex.  This wasn't the first and isn't the last incident of crime and violence on this 'newly renovated' subsidized property.  Some 'nonresidents' live with residents while management conveniently looks the other way.  And where are those promised security cameras?  Here is an excerpt from the published news story describing Rockland Place dba Spring Gate Apartments.

.....reported this year at the Spring Gate apartment complex, formerly known as Rockland Place, he said.

The 35-year-old housing development is home to 204 rental apartments, including 193 apartments for low-income tenants. For more than a decade, it has been a hot spot for crime in Rockland, including rapes, beatings, shootings and knife attacks.

On Aug. 26, two police officers were nearly struck by rocks at a back-to-school event at the Spring Gate apartment complex. In July, two residents were charged with beating another man with rocks.

“It’s an apartment complex, and any time you have an apartment complex with a lot of people squeezed into a tight geographic area, you’re going to have problems,” Lt. Barry Ashton said.
To read the entire Ledger article, click here.

Lt. Barry Ashton's comment offers little hope to good residents in this type of subsidized housing. It offers no solution or honest intention to deter crime at Spring Gate.  His apathetic attitude toward crime in Rockland Place and/or Spring Gate Apartments reflects that of corporate management, owners, and government officials. 

When laws and regulations aren't enforced, subsidized apartment complexes like Rockland Place dba Spring Gate harbor crime and imprison the innocent.  These mismanaged multifamily properties are allowed to become a neighborhood nuisance.  Corporate landlords may continue to benefit from running nuisance properties, but nearby homeowners suffer when their private property decreases in value.

Supplying more government grants and tax monies to non-compliant landlords is wasteful and does not provide safe, decent, affordable housing.  'Affordable Housing Certificates', issued directly to law-abiding citizens, could be a better way for HUD to provide safe, decent, affordable housing to the needy. These issued certificates could also provide the freedom to choose a respectable place of residence with more control and accountability.  If 'apartment complexes with a lot of people squeezed into a tight geographic area cause problems', building and financing more subsidized apartment complexes like Rockland Place and Spring Gate should be discouraged. 
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The Patriot Ledger - posted May 15, 2009
Hingham District Court
A charge of malicious destruction of property worth more than $250 against Armando M. Oliveira, 19, of 212 Martha Drive, Rockland, was dismissed by Judge Mooney due to lack of prosecution. The offense was alleged to have occurred July 9 in Rockland.

Charges of assault and disturbing the peace against Nilton Rodriques, 31, of 110 Martha Drive, Rockland, were dismissed by Judge Patrick Hurley. The offenses were alleged to have occurred April 16 in Rockland.