UTICA, N.Y. (WKTV) - Building new public houses for low income residents and revitalizing struggling areas, those were the goals for Utica's Hope VI Project that began in 2002. Delays and mismanagement stalled the $82 million project early on.

Construction of Hope VI houses on West Street continues. The Municipal Housing Authority says of the 51 planned homes, 30 have been built and sold. The concern is finishing the job.  

The nation's credit crunch has translated into a slowdown for sales of these subsidized homes that go for roughly $60,000 says grant writer John Furman, "but we are confident that our lenders are doing as much as they can to qualify people to buy houses in our program."

Hope VI has been riddled with other issues. In 2006, an audit from the Department of Housing and Urban Development found that the M.H.A. wasn't working fast enough or managing the project, which included an $11.5 million HUD grant, "we've closed all findings, we were acknowledged as a high performing housing program," said Dr. Taras Herbowy of the Municipal Housing Authority.
    
A HUD spokesperson tells us officials from its buffalo office came to Utica three weeks ago and inspected the operation...leaving satisfied.

A bill will be introduced at Wednesday night's Common Council meeting that would prevent Hope VI buyers from paying taxes for 5 years. It is expected to be tabled until the next meeting.