Atlantic City Housing Authority Details Action Plan to Fix Issues at Stanley Holmes Village

ATLANTIC CITY (October 23, 2024) – In a pivotal news conference, on October, 23, 2024, convened by Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small, Sr., the Atlantic City Housing Authority (ACHA) unveiled its comprehensive action plan aimed at ensuring the safety and well-being of residents at Stanley Holmes Village this winter and beyond.

“It’s important to address the short, medium, and long-term plans for Stanley Holmes Village and our residents who live there,” said Mayor Small. “Upon recognizing the zero threshold the Housing Authority is under, the City took immediate action with an emergency declaration, committing our full support to any plan that enhances the quality of life for our most vulnerable residents.”

ACHA Project Manager Mike Brown presented the strategy, which focuses on delivering reliable heat and hot water, facilitating voluntary transfers to improved living conditions, and preparing for future redevelopment. After years of inadequate maintenance due to insufficient funding, the ACHA has identified critical issues at Stanley Holmes Village, including failing infrastructure, interruptions in heat and hot water supply, mold, and pest infestations. In response, ACHA leadership is adopting a replacement-focused strategy alongside a new funding approach to enhance previous investments.

“When Atlantic City delivers quality public housing, the corresponding improvement in residents’ lives benefits the entire city,” said ACHA Executive Director Thomas Sahlin. “We are fortunate to have a collaborative partner in the Mayor’s office and City Council, who share our commitment to prioritizing local residents and their needs.”

To date, the ACHA has allocated $3.5 million for heating and gas improvements at Stanley Holmes Village, with plans to enhance living conditions across its entire portfolio. Key actions include the replacement of outdated boilers with high-efficiency models, upgrading gas lines in 19 buildings, and overhauling more than 60% of crawl space piping. Heating system repairs are anticipated to be completed by the end of November. Additionally, the ACHA is installing sensors in the piping to monitor potential leaks and assess temperature, pressure, and flow stability.

The resident transfer strategy commenced in July, with Phase I allowing 72 residents from Village 3 to voluntarily relocate to improved accommodations, paving the way for redevelopment. This phase is set to conclude by November 1, with over $150,000 allocated for transfer assistance. The ACHA encourages residents to utilize available support services and resources. Phase II, affecting an additional 51 units in Village 3, is projected for completion in summer 2025, while transfers in Villages 1 and 2 are scheduled for summer 2026 and summer 2027, respectively.

“Upon our arrival at Stanley Holmes 18 months ago, it was evident that the infrastructure was decades beyond its useful life,” said Brown. “Funding challenges and the absence of a clear plan contributed to deferred maintenance. We are now addressing the challenges at Stanley Holmes with a holistic perspective and are confident our plan will yield the housing conditions residents deserve.”

The news conference also featured remarks from Atlantic City Council President Aaron ‘Sporty’ Randolph and Council Vice President Kaleem Shabazz. The ACHA is addressing $20 million in emergency deficiencies within its annual capital budget of $3.5 million. First built in 1937 and expanded in 1951, Stanley Holmes Village is the oldest public housing complex in New Jersey.

Residents and members of the public with inquiries can contact Executive Director Sahlin at 609-344-1107 ext. 216 or via email at tsahlin@atlanticcityha.org.

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