LANSING, Mich. – August 8, 2014 – (RealEstateRama) — Scott Woosley, executive director of the Michigan State Housing Development Authority, today issued the following statement in response to news articles and claims regarding questionable state reimbursement for expenses in bills since 2012, when he was tapped to lead MSHDA:
“I would never expect the State to reimburse what is not properly reimbursable or at a rate that would be inappropriate. I am asking the Department of Treasury to closely review any previously paid expenses to determine if there was anything at all that was inadvertently reimbursed. If any such instances are found, I will write a personal check for anything that was not an appropriate state-approved expense or that meets established guidelines. We will also take additional steps and conduct team training to ensure MSHDA is in full compliance with all state travel regulations.
“There is too much positive action taking place at the state — and at the Authority — for any of this to get in the way of our forward momentum. We are moving the state in a direction that benefits all Michiganders. I will continue to do the good work we have started and that is to help meet the housing needs of Michiganders, tackle blight and build strong communities and neighborhoods as well as attract investment, capital, jobs, and economic activity.”
The Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) provides financial and technical assistance through public and private partnerships to create and preserve decent, affordable housing for low- and moderate-income residents and to engage in community economic development activities to revitalize urban and rural communities.*
*MSHDA’s loans and operating expenses are financed through the sale of tax-exempt and taxable bonds as well as notes to private investors, not from state tax revenues. Proceeds are loaned at below-market interest rates to developers of rental housing, and help fund mortgages and home improvement loans. MSHDA also administers several federal housing programs. For more information, visit www.michigan.gov/mshda.
Contact: Katie Bach
Media Affairs Manager
517.335.4786
