Kern County Grand Jury • 2000-2001

Report: Housing Authority of the County of Kern

25 pages
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Findings and Recommendations 16 findings

F1
It is alarming, unsafe, and unacceptable that smoke detectors at Plaza Towers/Plaza Towers Annex are being vandalized/disconnected, making them inoperable. It is evident that the Plaza Towers/Plaza Towers Annex is in need of repair and lacks proper maintenance.
Related Recommendations (1)
R14
By December 31, 2023, the Housing Authority should make it a priority to repair, restore, or replace Plaza Towers/Plaza Towers Annex. (Findings 1, 4, 5, and 6) 11 53
F2
The Plaza Towers/Plaza Towers Annex has a critical need for a Senior Pantry or other supplemental food assistance programs. A well-managed and stocked pantry would provide the residents an opportunity to meet their nutritional needs.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3
No later than March 1, 2023, the Housing Authority should organize and reopen a well- managed and stocked Senior Food Pantry at Plaza Towers/Plaza Towers Annex for a 10 52 minimum of two days per week. This is necessary to assist “extremely low income” seniors with their nutritional needs. (Finding 2)
F3
The lock-out fee is excessive for low-income senior residents especially those suffering memory loss, which may require multiple calls for service.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2
No later than April 30, 2023, the Housing Authority should remove the lock-out fee. (Finding 3)
F4
It is disturbing, unreasonable and a safety hazard that security cameras at the Plaza Towers/Plaza Towers Annex are often covered with clothing, newspaper, or duct tape. This happens because individuals are attempting to hide their identity and illegal activities such as smoking, prostitution, and drug deals. A working security system with cameras is vital in the deterrence of crime and the safety of residents.
Related Recommendations (3)
R1
No later than March 30, 2023, the Housing Authority should seek additional funding to increase investigators and investigation staff. (Findings 4, 5, 6, and 10)
R4
No later than March 1, 2023, the Housing Authority should repair and maintain, or replace non-working security cameras. A working security system is imperative for the safety and security of the residents. (Finding 4)
R6
By July 1, 2023, the Housing Authority should revamp and upgrade the security card entry system to include the laundry rooms, bathrooms, and common areas at Plaza Towers /Plaza Towers Annex, like those in operation at Park Place Senior Apartments and Pinewood Glen Retirement. (Findings 4 and 6)
F5
It is evident more security is needed at Plaza Towers/Plaza Towers Annex. Trespassers are occupying the laundry rooms, stairwells, bathrooms and sleeping within the facility often locking stairwells, preventing residents’ access. This is a dangerous safety hazard in cases of fire and other emergencies.
Related Recommendations (1)
R7
By July 1, 2023, the Housing Authority should eliminate the coin-op laundry and implement a prepaid laundry card system for Plaza Towers/Plaza Towers Annex. (Findings 5 and 13)
F6
The front and back entrance gates to the Plaza Towers/Plaza Towers Annex are inoperable, thus not secure, and often vandalized, which is a concern to the residents.
Related Recommendations (1)
R5
No later than January 30, 2023, at the Plaza Towers/Plaza Towers Annex, the Housing Authority should repair, maintain, and/or replace the front and back security gates. These gates should be operable and always secured to minimize unauthorized persons from accessing the facility. (Finding 6)
F7
The staff at Plaza Towers/Plaza Towers Annex are overworked. The area of responsibility is double compared to other facilities. This hinders the general operations and maintenance of the facility.
Related Recommendations (1)
R12
By April 30, 2023, the Housing Authority should hire additional staff to assist facility managers. (Finding 7)
F8
The lack of lighting in the parking lot at Pinewood Glen Retirement has created a safety issue.
Related Recommendations (1)
R8
By January 31, 2023, night lighting and damaged solar panels at Pinewood Glen Retirement should be repaired or replaced. (Finding 8)
F9
The Desk Guide and documents for public view are outdated and are exclusively located at the Housing Authority Office. This has led to miscommunication among staff and residents.
Related Recommendations (1)
R10
By July 31, 2023, the Housing Authority should update their website, to include the Desk Guide and Documentation. (Finding 9)
F10
The Housing Authority’s Investigation Unit is extremely understaffed for their areas of responsibility. The investigation staff may suffer from a high level of stress, which increases the risk of workplace accidents, injuries, physical exhaustion, and backlog of paperwork. However, there is no indication of plans to hire more investigation staff.
No recommendations for this finding
F11
Housing Authority Investigators are not provided with the appropriate vehicles to store and transport required duty equipment. 9 51
Related Recommendations (1)
R11
By September 30, 2023, the Housing Authority should purchase the appropriate vehicles for the investigation staff. (Finding 11)
F12
The residents at Plaza Towers/Plaza Towers Annex deserve and need more than one hour of activity per week.
Related Recommendations (1)
R9
By January 31, 2023, organized activities at Plaza Towers/Plaza Towers Annex should be equal to activities offered at Park Place and/or Pinewood Glen. Activities should be designed to meet the needs of the residents. (Finding 12)
F13
Plaza Towers/Plaza Towers Annex utilizes cash operated laundry machines, which invites vandalism and theft.
No recommendations for this finding
F14
Although there is a detailed report specifying calls to the Bakersfield Police Department, sent to the facility managers and investigators, this information does not appear on Monthly Activity Reports.
Related Recommendations (1)
R15
By February 1, 2023, long-term planning and monthly updates detailing the status of all the facilities should be included in the Housing Authority Commission Meeting Agenda and Minutes. The report should include unusual occurrences, police activity, request for repairs, repairs made, customer service concerns, etc. (Findings 14, 15, and 16) NOTES: • The Housing Authority of the County of Kern should post a copy of this report where it will be available for public review. • The Kern County Board of Supervisors should post a copy of this report where it will be available for public review. • Present and past Kern County Grand Jury Final Reports and Responses can be accessed on the Kern County Grand Jury website. RESPONSE DEADLINES: • REQUIRED WITHIN 90 DAYS FROM: HOUSING AUTHORITY COUNTY OF KERN • REQUESTED WITHIN 90 DAYS FROM: KERN COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS RESPONSES ARE REQUIRED PURSUANT TO PENAL CODE §§933(c) AND 933.05 WITHIN 90 DAYS TO: • PRESIDING JUDGE KERN COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT 1415 TRUXTUN AVENUE, SUITE 212 BAKERSFIELD, CA 93301 • TRUXTUN AVENUE, SUITE 600 BAKERSFIELD, CA 93301 Reports issued by the Grand Jury do not identify individuals interviewed. Penal Code §929 requires that reports of the Grand Jury not contain the name of any person or facts leading to the identity of any person who provides information to the Grand Jury. 12 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65
F15
The Monthly Activity Reports for Plaza Towers/Plaza Towers Annex, Park Place Senior Apartments, and Pinewood Glen Retirement for June, July, and August 2022, did not match the Bakersfield Police Department’s Crime Analysis Report. The Housing Authority stated there were no emergencies reported during these months, which conflicts with the information from the Bakersfield Police Department.
Related Recommendations (1)
R13
By March 30, 2023, the Housing Authority should document all emergencies and unusual occurrences (including deaths, if any) in Monthly Activity Reports. An explanation of each police interaction should be included. (Finding 15)
F16
There is a disconnect between the Housing Authority and the facilities’ managers concerning the day-to-day operations and the status of the facilities. This is evidenced by the disregard for the safety and well-being of the residents, maintenance, lack of security, and incomplete Monthly Activity Reports. COMMENTS: Many seniors do not get regular visits from family and friends. Therefore, it means a lot when the staff builds relationships with the residents. It is vital to watch out for Compassion Fatigue when working with seniors. Although employees want to make a difference, it is important to maintain professional boundaries for their own health and well-being. Patience and empathy are essential when working in a senior citizen housing facility. However, empathy without boundaries can drain employees, both mentally and physically. Staff works in close contact, developing personal and professional relationships with seniors who in some cases are nearing the end of their life. It can be difficult for staff and residents to handle, when the inevitable happens. Therefore, mental health support and grief counseling for all staff and residents is essential and available.
No recommendations for this finding

Comments 7

No Responses Found 2

Government entities assigned to respond to this report. No response documents have been linked in our database.

Kern County Board of Supervisors Elected County Office
Kern County Hospital Authority Hospital Authority