Atlantic County Times

Washington, DC - This week, Congressman Van Drew engaged in a significant meeting with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Inspector General Rae Oliver Davis to address the ongoing health and safety crisis at Stanley Holmes Village.

In their meeting, Congressman Van Drew expressed his satisfaction with the seriousness IG Davis is placing on the issue, stating, "During my conversation with the IG, it was reassuring to hear just how serious she is taking this issue." He further emphasized that the concerns he raised about the lack of basic amenities such as heat and hot water at Stanley Holmes Village align with IG Davis's priorities.

The focus of the discussion was on the lack of improvements in living conditions at Stanley Holmes Village and the growing concerns over the inaction of the Atlantic City Housing Authority. IG Davis's attention has been drawn to this situation, indicating the seriousness with which it is being viewed.

In response to the situation, Congressman Van Drew highlighted his commitment to collaboration by stating, "I look forward to continuing to work with her in the next steps of the process."

Furthermore, the Inspector General has taken steps to ensure transparency and accountability by establishing a hotline for reporting potential fraud, waste, or abuse related to HUD programs. Individuals with relevant information are encouraged to contact 1-800-347-3735 or visit the online website.

The meeting between Congressman Van Drew and IG Davis follows a formal request made by the Congressman in March of 2024 to investigate the Atlantic City Housing Authority for potential criminal violations in the past five years. This request was prompted by the discovery of numerous compliance violations, including communities left without essential services like heat and hot water, with no visible progress towards resolving the issues.