PRINCETON: Housing Authority elects officers, members

By Victoria Hurley-Schubert, Staff Writer
   The Housing Authority of the Borough of Princeton (HABOP) elected officers, met with its new board this week and discussed a recent visit from the commissioner of the Housing Authority of Philadelphia.
   The first order of business was the election of officers. Leighton Newlin and Henry Pennel were re-elected chair and treasurer respectively, and Toby Levy was elected vice chair.
   The newest board members are Peter Marks, who was attending his first meeting and the Rev. Dr. Deborah Brooks, who was attending her second, were welcomed.
   A main topic of discussion was the visit of Michael Kelly, commissioner of the Housing Authority of Philadelphia. Mr. Kelly received a tour of all the HABOP properties during a visit earlier this month.
   The purpose of the “windshield review” visit was to give some fresh perspective and input on the public housing.
   ”The mayor, Yina Moore, is a friend of mine and I think there is an opportunity to have a fresh set of eyes on public housing in Princeton,” said Mr. Kelly. “Even though Princeton is a small housing authority I think it has some of the challenges housing authority’s across the country have.”
   Mr. Kelly, a Princeton University alum with more than 25 years of experience in public housing management, was impressed with the leadership of the housing authority and elected officials involvement.
   ”I’ve been around the block a few times, and I know these efforts can rise or fall around the strength of the leadership and I was very impressed.”
   The good things he saw included the motivated, committed staff of HABOP.
   Leadership includes elected officials, Housing Authority staff, volunteer board and residential leaders among the tenants.
   ”I had a ball,” he said. “I was very much intrigued with the possibility and potential with the consolidation. That was one of the takeaways, the intriguing potential.”
   Looking at the “wonderful work” the Housing Authority is doing, he left with a good impression of HABOP.
   Public housing is about building community, he said.
   ”It’s about building better neighborhoods and better neighborhoods are built on good housing,” he said. “Retail and other neighborhood amenities are all very much a part of the fabric of the community, but it’s based on quality housing and the strength of those families.”
   A challenge moving forward is the properties that need to be repositioned and updated.
   ”I’m sure if there were additional federal dollars or financing available some of the public housing in Princeton could be redeveloped to provide better housing for the current residents and bring in a mix of incomes and new residents.”
   At the meeting, HABOP also voted to spend $76,700 on boiler repairs and plumbing updates at Spruce Circle, one of its properties.