Public Housing Administration launches mandatory home visits for families with children and/or seniors

Public Housing Administrator Juan A. Rosario Hernández

By THE STAR STAFF

Public Housing Administrator Juan A. Rosario Hernández announced Tuesday the implementation of mandatory visits to inspect apartments in Puerto Rico’s 328 public housing complexes where minors or elderly individuals reside.

“The priority of the Public Housing Administration [AVP by its initials in Spanish] is to ensure that every resident lives in a safe and healthy environment,” the official said. “This week, we instructed the 16 managing agents to immediately begin working on a plan to visit units that include minors or older adults in their household composition. We want to make sure our people enjoy an excellent quality of life, as Governor Jenniffer González Colón has reiterated.”

Rosario Hernández noted that each visit must be documented using a standardized form to track actions taken and coordinate any necessary follow-up.

“Each managing agent is responsible for making every effort to carry out the visit plan,” the AVP administrator said. “If necessary, visits may be scheduled on weekends if the tenant is unavailable during the week due to work commitments or other priorities.”

According to the AVP’s directive, managing agents must complete some 56,000 visits by March 6.

Housing Secretary Ciary Pérez Peña emphasized the importance of the measure.

“This initiative stems from our genuine concern for the quality of life of our residents,” she said. “Many times, they need help accessing support resources but don’t feel comfortable asking for it. By meeting them in the comfort of their homes, they may feel more secure requesting the assistance their families need.”

Pérez Peña also chairs the AVP’s board of directors.