'Driving me nuts:' Senior Fall River residents air Doolan housing grievances

FALL RIVER --- About 50 concerned Doolan Apartments residents aired their concerns Tuesday to state Rep. Alan Silvia now that the Fall River Housing Authority, after missing filing deadlines, has begun moving young disabled people into the formerly senior-only facility.

After the meeting, Doolan resident association president Fran Dailey said young disabled residents began moving into the Mitchell Street apartment building about one month ago.

“So much has changed in a month, it’s unbelievable. We’ve had no problems until this started,” Dailey said.

She said residents were notified of the change of status at Doolan by the Housing Authority in a meeting, “but we weren’t allowed to ask questions.”

Residents complained of strangers in and out of apartments at all hours of the night, and a lack of adequate lighting and cameras. One man said a neighbor overdosed and died.

“It’s very stressful, I just want peace, I just want to sleep,” said the resident.

Dailey said police used to patrol the complex, but said they haven’t seen any officers in a while. The Housing Authority pays the Fall River Police Department about $400,000 for public safety.

Another said some of the new young residents have substance abuse issues. His next door neighbor’s son and grandson were at her apartment smoking pot every day, he said.

“The smell was driving me nuts,” he said. “I don’t appreciate young kids moving in. I came here six years ago to relax, to be with elderly people that I can enjoy being with, and I’ve got to put up with this now?”

Silvia told residents to call police whenever they saw illegal activity or activity that didn't feel right.

He also complained that the Housing Authority had promised to get security camera upgrades two years ago, which have never been installed.

The Housing Authority started moving in young disabled residents, some with substance abuse issues, into senior-only properties like Doolan in April. The Housing Authority failed to include a designated housing plan in its annual plan submitted to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development back in January.

HUD notified the Housing Authority in March that the plan was rejected and gave the Housing Authority until April to submit the housing plan – a deadline that was missed.

Without the housing plan, the Housing Authority had no choice but to allow the young disabled residents to reside with the

The Housing Authority finally filed the annual plan, with a the required designated housing plan, on Aug. 1, the day before the Housing Authority’s Interim Executive Director Timothy Barrows met with Rep. Carole Fiola and the residents at the Holmes property who circulated a petition protesting the change in policy.

HUD has 75 days to approve or reject the annual plan.

Doolan residents will meet with Barrows on Friday to discuss the situation.

Silvia urged the residents to be vocal about their concerns, saying housing for the elderly was never meant to mix seniors with people under 55.

“This is the issue I have and it’s about you. It’s about treating you with dignity which you don’t receive,” Silvia said.

Email Jo C. Goode at jgoode@heraldnews.com.