By Mark Scott
Buffalo, NY – The finger pointing has begun in the wake of a federal report critical of operations at the Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority.
The US Department of Housing and Urban Development criticized the Board of Directors for mishandling federal money and for overstepping their duties. At a meeting Wednesday, commissioners blamed staffers for the problems. One BMHA commissioner, Matthew Brown, submitted his resignation at Wednesday's meeting, effective immediately.
The HUD investigation was requested by Mayor Anthony Masiello, and Mayor-elect Byron Brown is also monitoring the situation.
"I know that Mayor Masiello has asked that the board members step down," Brown said. "We will take all appropriate action to make sure the Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority is accountable and efficient, and is spending taxpayers' dollars wisely."
Former Housing Secretary Andrew Cuomo, in Buffalo Wednesday, said there are similar problems with housing authorities across the country.