If HUD does end LTRAP’s contract, Section 8 Housing and other Hud programs LTRAP administered would be given to the Lakewood Housing Authority – meaning they would be out of direct haredi control.
Feds Seek To End Haredi Control Over Lakewood Section 8 Housing Program After Haredi Program Refuses To Submit To A Requested Audit
Shmarya Rosenberg • FailedMessiah.com
The Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) wants the Lakewood [New Jersey] Township Residential Assistance Program (LTRAP) to be shut down, the Lakewood Scoop reported. LTRAP refused to do an audit HUD asked for, and HUD responded by threatening to terminate its contract with LTRAP.
LTRAP, also known as the Lakewood Tenants Organization, was founded by Rabbi Meir Hertz in the 1970s and currently administers over 1,100 housing units.
LTRAP has been highly rated by by HUD over the past four years, but HUD, suspicious of wrongdoing, repeatedly investigated LTRAP.
The new audit would include LTRAP’s de-federalized books.
“The funds paid to LTO [LTRAP] as administrative fees are de-federalized once they are paid, and all agree that they are no longer subject to review and audit,” attorneys told TLS.
LTRAP also says HUD raised the same issue in 2001 but cleared LTRAP.
In August of this year, HUD notified LTRAP that it would terminate its contract effective September 1.
LTRAP filed a complaint in federal court against HUD in response and HUD agreed to stay execution of its decision to end LTRAP’s contract pending the outcome of the litigation.
If HUD does end LTRAP’s contract, Section 8 Housing and other Hud programs LTRAP administered would be given to the Lakewood Housing Authority – meaning they would be out of direct haredi control.