Would the real Charlesview please stand up?

Each HUD inspection report summarizes the "systemic deficiencies" found during the inspection. From what has been said in various forums, one might think that Charlesview needs extensive and expensive repairs. For example, in the DPIR, Charlesview states:

"Now nearly 40 years old, the existing Charlesview property has reached the end of its useful life and requires redevelopment to continue its legacy as a critical housing source for North Allston Brighton."

But the HUD reports tell a very different story - it is almost as if there are two different Charlesviews:

- There is the Charlesview that we hear about from Charlesview's Board, The Community Builders, the BRA, and our elected officials. This Charlesview is about to crumble to the ground and must be evacuated ASAP.

- There is the Charlesview that is inspected every couple years by HUD with a long list of "ordinary" problems but in need of almost no major repairs.

As the host used to ask on To Tell The Truth...

"Would the real Charlesview please stand up?"

The reports categorize systemic deficiencies in two ways:

• Capital items that generally require large cash outlays (such as new roofs and new appliances)


• Ordinary items are repairs that require smaller cash outlays (such as light fixtures, fire extinguishers, and smoke detectors)

Date	Capital Items	Ordinary Items
March 2002	Bathroom sinks damaged or missing	Obstructed or missing accessibility routes Broken/missing/cracked window panes Auxiliary lighting inoperable Damaged door hardware/locks
January 2004	Bathroom sinks damaged or missing	Auxiliary lighting inoperable Damaged door frames Electrical covers missing Damaged door surfaces Damaged door hardware/locks
March 2005	none	none
April 2008	none	16 unique defect types
August 2008	none	Obstructed or missing accessibility routes Walls stained/peeling/needs paint Lighting missing/damaged Damaged door surfaces Damaged door hardware/locks

So according to HUD's inspectors, Charlesview for the past 4 years hasn't needed any major capital improvements and in the past 7 years the only capital repair needed was new sinks in some bathrooms. At the same time, there are many smaller things not being done to HUD's standards including fences that need to be repaired, grass that needs to be mowed, light switches that need covers, fire exits that are blocked, walls that need to painted, etc.

This does not support the claims that Charlesview has been fundamentally flawed since its construction or that the buildings are in urgent need of replacement. These reports do indicate that basic, regular maintenance at Charlesview has been highly inconsistent during the past several years.