December 2014 Grapevine

December 2014

THE GRAPEVINE Hopewell Redevelopment & Housing Authority

Community Housing Partners—Kippax

Volume 210, Issue 12

Monthly Reminders: 

Community Housing Partners (CHP) is known for working with private and public partners to preserve, design, and construct awardwinning homes and neighborhoods in the southeastern United States. CHP’s programs encourage community revitalization, the fostering of financial stability for their residents, in addition to promoting a healthier planet for  future generations.

CHP is the agency that recently purchased Langston Park (now The Summit of Hopewell) and began redeveloping it into a larger and more efficient community. They are now are in the process of purchasing Kippax Place with plans of making renovations.

In recent months, residents may have noticed employees of CHP in addition to various contractors and engineers observing and taking notes in reference to the building. In October, CHP held a meeting with the residents of Kippax to discuss the possibilities of what could take place if the building was purchased by their agency.

In order for this process to begin, HRHA had to apply for the Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD). RAD allows previously established funding to be applied to at-risk public and assisted housing. This program consist of two components to which the first allows Public Housing properties to convert to long-term Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCVP/Section Eight) contracts.

The second component grants CHP the right to allow rent supplement and rental assistance payments. After the contract ends, the property is then able to be converted back to tenant-based vouchers.

RAD is an essential part of the housing authority’s rental housing protection strategy. This strategy works to preserve the nation’s stock of affordable rental housing, promotes efficiency, and builds strong, stable communities.

CHP in partnership with HRHA will continue to hold meetings with Kippax residents to keep them updated on the progress of the redevelopment. Closing on the property is anticipated in late spring of 2015.

HRHA is proud to be a leader in the development of affordable housing within the City of Hopewell.

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Community/Resident Council Meetings: Kippax Place — December 2, 2014 5:30 pm Davisville/Bland Court — December 10, 2014 1:00 pm Piper Square — December 17, 2014 1:00 pm Thomas Rolfe — December 18, 2014 1:00 pm Rental payments are due on the 1st of each month and must be paid at SunTrust Bank by 5:00 p.m. Any payment received after 5:00 p.m. is considered next day and a late fee will be assessed.

Laos Outreach Karate Program every Tuesday at Laos Outreach Center.

Job Corps Orientations at Hopewell VEC every Thursday at 9:00 am

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Employment assistance every Tuesday from 9:00—11:00 a.m. at Piper Square

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FSS Program Orientation in the Piper Square community center November 1st at 1:00 p.m.

Inside this issue: HRHA Grievance Procedure

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Light Up The Night

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Report Cards

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Management Corner

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Boy Scouts

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Job Corps

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Management Policy

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Christmas Giveaway

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Thanksgiving Baskets

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HRHA Grievance Procedure HRHA has a Grievance Procedure that seeks to assure just and unbiased treatment of all residents and to provide procedures which are not unduly time consuming or complicated. The Authority will take required actions to ensure all grievants with special needs are accommodated to provide access to this Grievance Procedure.

Should it become necessary for you to file a grievance, present your grievance personally, either orally or in writing, to the Authority’s Central Management Office or the Management Office where you reside within seven days, after the occurrence giving rise to the grievance.

The oral or written presentation should state:

1. That the complaint is being pursued in accordance with the Grievance Procedure.

2. The actual basis of the grievance.

3. The action of relief.

A copy of the Grievance Procedure can be found at the Community’s Management Office and at the Authority’s Central Management Office. If you are not satisfied with the resolution of your complaint, you may contact your HRHA Chairmen of the Board of Commissioners at 804-720-2581.

Light Up The Night The City of Hopewell in collaboration with the Hopewell Downtown Partnership and Junior Chamber International (JCI) Hopewell will be hosting their annual parade and tree lighting celebration. This celebration will be held on Sunday, December 7th and will include rides, refreshments, prizes and opportunities to take pictures with Santa.

The holiday parade will begin at 4:00 pm, starting at Cavalier Square and ending at Ashford Civic Plaza where the tree lighting ceremony will take place at 6:00 pm. There will then be a holiday concert that will take place at the Beacon Theatre at 7:00 pm.

For more information, please call (804) 541-2353 or visit www.hopewelldowntown.com/ holidays.

Report Cards

HRHA would like to remind all students (and/or parents/guardians) to turn in a copy of their report card to Resident Services after each grading period. Students who have earned A or A/B honor roll will be treated for their hard work and dedication towards the advancement of their education.

HRHA encourages all students to attend school regularly and to do their best in succeeding within their academics. Education is an important factor in ones life and can help determine your future. As you approach a new semester, remember, going to school and learning new things allows you to advance yourself.

If you (or your child) needs assistance with their classwork, please contact Resident Services to learn about available opportunities.

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Management Corner “Safety Tips For The Holidays” We are in the most wonderful time of the year, the holiday season. During this time, we embark on traditional holiday shopping to purchase gifts for our loved ones.

This is also the time year when criminals prey on unsecure homes and cars, making people victims of burglary.

The following are some helpful tips to protect you and your family from theft:

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Make your home look occupied and difficult to break in.

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Lock all outside doors and windows before you leave the house or go to bed, even if it is for a short amount of time, lock your doors.

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Leave lights on when you go out. If you are going to be away for a long period of time, connect some lamps to automatic timers.

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Don't allow daily deliveries of mail, newspapers or flyers to build up while you are away. Arrange with the Post Office to hold your mail, or make arrangements for a friend or neighbor to get your items regularly.

Check your locks on doors and windows and replace them with secure devices as necessary.

The most important thing you can do is call the police to report a crime or any suspicious activity. You have to be the eyes of your neighborhood. Have a safe holiday season.

Boy Scouts

HRHA is seeking volunteer troop leaders to assist with the recruitment and managing of the HRHA Boy Scout troop. There are many different roles a leader can fulfill.

Scout Leaders are primarily responsible for organizing the activities of the group, and training the youth members through the Scout program. Other roles include liaison with parents, districts, or other parties such as the unit's sponsoring (chartered) organization.

Those who are interested in serving as the leader, should contact Resident Services. Training will be provided.

Job Corps Job Corps is now enrolling new students who would like to obtain education and career training. With 125 centers nationwide, in addition to Puerto Rico, Job Corps offers residential and non residential opportunities for every student. Eligible low-income individuals between the ages of 16 and 24 receive free enrollment into the program of their choice. Job Corps prides themselves in encouraging all students to train, live, learn and connect.

To learn more information about Job Corps and the programs offered, we encourage you to attend the weekly information session held on Thursdays at 10:00 am in the Virginia Employment Center located at 5240 Oaklawn Boulevard in Hopewell or call (804) 340-5540. To apply, you can call the number previously mentioned or visit www.recruiting.jobcorps.gov.

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Management Policy HRHA does not discriminate on the basis of disability status in the admission or access to housing or employment in its federally assisted programs and activities. Mrs. Madelyn Madison-Hyde has been designated to coordinate compliance with nondiscrimination requirements contained in the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) regulations implementing (Section 504 CFR Part 8, dated June 2, 1988) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. You may contact her at: P.O. Box 1361 Hopewell, VA 23860 (804) 458-5160

Christmas Giveaway HRHA will be giving away five$100 Christmas donations to residents. Interested residents will need to complete and turn in applications to Resident Services by Wednesday, December 10. To be considered for this donation, the resident must be in good standing with the housing authority. Applications are available at the Piper Square and Thomas Rolfe management offices. If you have any questions, please contact Resident Services.

Thanksgiving Baskets

Abundant Life Christian Center International and Fruit of The Spirit Deliverance Ministry gave Thanksgiving baskets to a number of residents within the HRHA communities. These baskets were filled with various items to ensure these families would have the products needed for a fantastic Thanksgiving dinner. Both organizations have similar missions when it comes to giving back to the community.

Abundant Life Christian Center International is located in Hopewell and first started out in 2012 by serving Thanksgiving dinner to Langston Park families. They then delivered Thanksgiving baskets the following year to families of Piper Square. Abundant Life loves giving back and also finds it very important. This year, their Thanksgiving basket giveaways consisted of a turkey and various fixings and were delivered to families in the Davisville, Piper Square and Thomas Rolfe communities.

Fruit of the Spirit Deliverance Ministry, which originally began in Hopewell, now has plans to return to this great city. One of their focal points is outreach which is partially implemented by giving back to individuals in the community that may be less fortunate. Fruit of the Spirit engages in outreach in hopes that they may impact individuals, their families, neighborhoods and the overall community. Giving away Thanksgiving baskets is not only something they plan to do within HRHA communities, but wish to expand throughout the community at large, making this an annual event.

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Public Housing Staff Hopewell Redevelopment & Housing Authority

Madelyn Madison-Hyde, Public Housing Director – (804) 458-5160

P.O. Box 1361 350 E. Poythress Street Hopewell, VA 23860

Lillian Quintana, Administrative Assistant to the Public Housing Director – (804) 458-5160

Phone (804) 458-5160 Fax (804) 458-3364

Tina Raatz, Housing Manager – (804) 452-1880 ext. 3 Thomas Rolfe Court/Extension & Davisville/Bland Court

Website www.hopewellrha.org

Julie Derr, Assistant Housing Manager – (804) 452-1880 ext. 2 Thomas Rolfe Court/Extension & Davisville/Bland Court

Like our Facebook page! http://www.facebook.com/ Hopewell Redevelopment & Housing Authority

Greg Pe’ay, Housing Manager – (804) 541-0392 ext. 3 Piper Square, Kippax Place & Langston Park Lafonia Thornton, Assistant Housing Manager – (804) 541-0392 ext. 2 Piper Square, Kippax Place & Langston Park Kathryn Thompson, Resident Services Manager – (804) 541-0392 ext. 4 Terence Barber, Resident Services Specialist – (804) 452-1880 ext. 4 Jennifer Campbell, FSS Coordinator — (804) 855-7065 Emergency After Hours – (804) 640-9337

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