RAFT-Public-Records-Request-Image-CC-by-SA-Masslandlords w800

by Kimberly Harper Rau. - 0 Comments

A screen shot of the letter sent from the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development, on their official letterhead, from Adrain Walleigh, Counsel and Public Records Officer, to Rebecca S. Murray, Supervisor of Records for the Public Records Division. It is dated February 26, 2021. It reads: Re: Request for Extension of Time. Dear Supervisor Murray: The Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) respectfully submits this petition pursuant to G.L. c. 66 subsection 10(c) for an extension of the time to provide records responsive to a request from Attorney Peter Vickery for certain records from the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) regarding the Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) program. For the reasons detailed below, DHCD requests an extension of 20 business days from the date of the Supervisor’s ruling on this petition to fulfill the request. The requestor received an initial response within 10 business days after receipt, has been copied on this request, and the original request has been attached. New Paragraph. The proposed extension is warranted because the request would unduly burden the other responsibilities of this office such that we are unable to complete our productions by the statutory deadline set forth in G.L. c. 66, subsection 10(a). As a result of the pandemic, DHCD is facing unprecedented challenges in transforming the RAFT program from a relatively modest, decentralized rental assistance program into a much larger disaster relief program. This work is vital to ensuring that vulnerable families remain stably housed throughout the COVID-19 public health emergency. The request requires a significant amount of time and attention from the same key staff who are working day and night through the ongoing pandemic to reinvent and actively manage our rental assistance programs, including the program which the requestor is seeking records. Diverting key program staff to search for and review responsive documents within the current time frame set forth in G.L. c. 66, subsection 10(a) will delay this important work. In order for that work to continue without interruption or delay, we are requesting the response time allowed be extended a further 20 business days from the date of the Supervisor’s ruling on this petition. New Paragraph. DHCD therefore respectfully requests that the Supervisor of Public Records approve this petition for an extension of time. Very truly yours, Adrian Walleigh, Counsel and Public Records Officer. This is further signed with an e-signature. Roberta L. Rubin, Esq., counsel for DHCD, and Peter Vickery, Esq., of Bobrowski and Vickery, LLC, are CC’d on this letter.

Advertisement

For Members

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement