The NRHA's Numerous Shortfalls

Did you see the news last week that the Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority (NRHA) is facing a $4.7 million budget shortfall? $4.7 Million. 

I understand that a good percentage of the NRHA’s budget comes from federal funds, however the NRHA are clearly worse at managing their budget than they are at managing properties. City Council appoints the NRHA board, so why aren’t they holding them responsible for this shortfall? Why can’t we open up the books of the NRHA and see what caused this shortfall?

Maybe the reason the NRHA is currently in this quagmire is they can’t do simple math. Another recent story suggests the agency wants to sell its current downtown office space, which was recently appraised at $6 million. They then want to build a new facility off Ballentine Boulevard. The cost of this sparkling new facility? A cool $12 million.

I’m no math major, but something doesn’t add up.

Instead of spending another $12 million they don't have, maybe the NRHA can just find a building they like and procure it citing eminent domain. What if the building is still occupied by its owners, you ask? Well, it hasn’t stopped the NRHA before.

Who took the money, who took the money away?