THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, June 26, 1994 TAG: 9406240264
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 12 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: By MAC DANIEL, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: 940626 LENGTH: SUFFOLK
It was the apex of the 1960s, a time when Armstrong and his peers were swept up with changing attitudes and a youthful focus on helping those in need.
{REST} So, armed with a religious studies degree from Beloit College in Wisconsin, Armstrong embraced the unlikely field of public housing.
``Government seemed like a happening type of place at that time,'' Armstrong said. ``I found a significant place to make a difference for people who were poor was housing. Those issues were critical to quality of life.''
Armstrong, 45, came to Suffolk in February from Hampton, where he worked 17 years at the Hampton Redevelopment and Housing Authority.
His tenure there was marked by major change, though Armstrong, the former director of housing in Hampton, describes his contribution as ``modest and gradual.''
He worked his way up in the agency, overseeing Section 8 housing, development, redevelopment and budgets.
James B. Rattray, executive director of the Hampton Redevelopment and Housing Authority, said Armstrong was always an idea person, able to see through dense federal language.
And by working his way up through the Hampton agency, Rattray said, Armstrong became a much-valued hands-on administrator.
``I think he's going to do a good job over there,'' said Rattray, ``as long as they understand what each other is saying.''
In Suffolk, Randi Blumenson has already noticed something of a change.
Blumenson is a senior attorney with the Virginia Legal Aid Society, a group that represents prospective or current affordable-housing residents.
If someone is applying for affordable housing or is about to be evicted, Blumenson sometimes represents them.
So far, Armstrong has been quite accessible, Blumenson said. In the past ``it was more common that we would address issues in an adversarial way,'' she said. ``I saw this as a very good sign.''
Since Armstrong took office, Blumenson said every case in which her clients faced imminent eviction was resolved.
In addition, Blumenson is appearing at fewer court and grievance hearings on behalf of public housing clients.
But despite the positive talk, Blumenson is waiting before praising Armstrong.
``I'm not going to say he's better or worse,'' she said. ``I'm going to say he's different. Very different. We're very optimistic.''
Throughout his housing career, Armstrong has changed the nature of his job about every three years, more to challenge himself than from dissatisfaction, he said.
He has spent his career delving into housing areas he knows little about and coming away more aware of the overall problems facing housing agencies.
His biggest challenge yet may lie in Suffolk, where the new executive director has taken over a financially strapped housing program recently chastised by state and federal authorities.
The Suffolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority was accused last year of mishandling a rental housing program financed by federal grants.
Former executive director V. Janette Rountree resigned one week after a federal audit cited mismanagement of the $1 million rental rehabilitation program.
Audits found that 102 of 147 rental homes did not meet minimum housing standards after renovation.
For Armstrong, these are temporary setbacks. He sees the future of the Suffolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority as nothing but bright - after a few changes are made.
``I didn't feel I was coming in to reform anything,'' Armstrong said. ``A lot of people feel the housing situation in Suffolk is bad. But it really isn't.''
A 1992 field survey by the city found that about 17 percent of Suffolk's housing had minor deficiencies, 7 percent was considered deteriorated and about 3 percent was considered dilapidated.
The highest percentage of deteriorating housing was found in Huntersville, Chuckatuck, Pughsville, Orlando, Jericho, Tynes Park and South Suffolk.
``You've got to get back and establish a track record that's different,'' Armstrong said.
His initial focus will be on efficiency within the housing authority.
``I feel a certain sense of urgency about operations here,'' he said. ``Some of the things we're doing are getting in the way. And a major part of doing good is running this housing agency as efficiently as we can.''
For example, the authority had been using regular maintenance crews for ground maintenance, a situation that caused maintenance in other areas to fall by the wayside. The practice also necessitated a considerable amount of overtime pay.
This year, the authority has hired part-time crews to maintain the grounds in housing projects where they live, a move that cuts costs and increases efficiency.
Armstrong also hopes to make the housing agency more effective at collecting overdue rent, something he is credited with improving in Hampton.
He also wants to break the Suffolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority's habit of being ``insular.''
During his time in Hampton, Armstrong said Suffolk housing authority staff and board members were rarely seen at housing conferences or other regional functions.
Armstrong said he already has seen significant changes in housing and the Suffolk housing authority since his arrival.
In May, the authority vowed to have closer ties with the city and consider combining inspections and other services.
It was the first time in years that the housing authority and the City Council met face-to-face to discuss housing issues and common plans for the future.
A recent city-sponsored housing study also has given Armstrong some direction.
In the past, Suffolk used federal housing funds to pay for roads, sewer and water lines. The new study recommends the city begin using those Community Development Block Grant funds, instead, to create and restore affordable housing.
In addition, the housing authority and the city have agreed to rank Suffolk neighborhoods by need as well as by how ready the residents are to help themselves.
In about a year, the city will announce the list. Once that program is established, the city will begin to revamp housing neighborhood by neighborhood.
One of the most significant changes under Armstrong has been an emphasis on allowing public housing residents more voice in housing issues.
The housing study suggested the creation of Community Development Corporations in all applicable neighborhoods.
The corporations give local neighborhoods a way of qualifying for grant money themselves. If successful, the program would allow neighborhoods and individuals to break away from their dependence on outside help.
``Years ago, housing authorities had the clout and the money,'' Armstrong said. ``But it just isn't available anymore. There's a lot of truth to the fact that the communities themselves have that responsibility.''
Armstrong said he hopes the new housing study and an emphasis on allowing communities to help themselves will help create a stable supply of affordable housing in Suffolk.
And he is confident that the growth now coming to Suffolk will create a ripple-effect, improving living conditions for those in need of affordable housing.
``Sometimes it's just time for certain things to happen,'' said Armstrong. ``When that happens, it doesn't make any difference who the players are - it's going to happen.''
by CNB