Mercer County Housing Authority has received the scores of a resident satisfaction survey that will contribute to its overall report card from the federal government.

The scores are based on the responses of 156 residents who returned surveys. The federal government mailed out surveys as part of its Public Housing Assessment System.

The scores, with national averages in parentheses, are:

   » Maintenance, 90 percent (89 percent).

   » Communication, 71.7 percent (76.2 percent).

   » Safety, 67.5 percent (74 percent).

   » Services, 92.5 percent (92.4 percent).

   » Neighborhood appearance, 65.9 percent (76 percent).

The authority must develop plans to address the safety and neighborhood appearance scores, said Executive Director L. DeWitt Boosel.

"We do have some things that we need to work on," he said.

Concerning neighborhood appearance, Boosel said, the authority believes site managers will address problems quicker than the authority could in the past.

One site manager is responsible for Malleable Heights, Pine Hollow and Mesabi Street apartments in Sharon, and another for Sharpsville Gardens and Fay Terrace, Pymatuning Township.

"Hopefully, some of the things we're doing will take hold," he said.

Boosel said the scores are up a little bit from last year.

The scores will be incorporated into the authority's annual report card, which will not be computed until the authority's audit is finished, he said.