February 2016 Grapevine by Hopewell Redevelopment & Housing Authority

February 2016

THE GRAPEVINE Hopewell Redevelopment & Housing Authority

The Legacy of Linwood A. Crenshaw

Volume 212, Issue 2

Monthly Reminders: 

Mr. Linwood A. Crenshaw unexpectedly passed away on Monday, January 4, 2016. He will be missed greatly by the commissioners, HRHA staff and community of Hopewell, VA. This is dedicated to Mr. Crenshaw and his legacy as he served on the Hopewell Redevelopment and Housing Authority’s  Board of Commissioners:

Linwood A. Crenshaw pictured above.

Mr. Linwood A. Crenshaw was appointed to the Housing Authority’s Board of Commissioners on November 1, 1996 and became the Chairman of the Board in Feb ruary 1998 and served in that capacity for 19 years.

Community/Resident Council Meetings: Kippax Place — February 9, 2016 5:30 pm Davisville/Bland Court — February 10, 2016 1:00 pm Piper Square — February 17, 2016 1:00 pm Thomas Rolfe — February 18, 2016 1:00 pm Rental payments are due on the 1st of each month and must be paid at the HRHA main office drop box by 5:00 p.m. Any payment received after 5:00 p.m. is considered next day and a late fee will be assessed. Computer classes every Friday from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. in the Piper Square community center.

Mr. Crenshaw was extremely dedicated to his role as the head of this organization. He steadfastly attended national housing conferences twice a year to better serve the public and educate himself on resident, board and housing issues. He took every opportunity to discuss his insights and concerns with commissioners and executive directors from other agencies. He was a staunch supporter for the proper treatment of public housing residents. In order to be more responsive to them, he maintained an authority cell phone and freely distributed the phone number to those residents. Throughout his 19 years of service Mr. Linwood A. Crenshaw remained true to the mission of HRHA by treating low-income residents with respect and improving the quality of our housing product. His enduring example of selfless service set a high mark for others who would aspire to be the Chairperson of the Hopewell Redevelopment and Housing Authority. We honor Mr. Crenshaw for his service to this organization.

L inwood A . C renshaw November 1, 1996—January 4, 2016

Inside this issue: HRHA Grievance Procedure

HRHA Takes Instagram

Youth Corner

Management Policy

FSS Program Highlights

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.

HRHA Takes Instagram HRHA’s Resident Services Department has created an Instagram account to assist with keeping every one up to date on current and future events, company and program updates, contests and more. Please take the time to follow us at @Hopewellrha on Instagram.

YOUTH CORNER

Keeping Up With Our Youth

Girl Scouts The HRHA Girl Scouts troop is taking orders for their annual cookie sale! A portion of the proceeds will go to the troop and all are encouraged to support. To purchase cookies, please contact Jennifer Campbell in Resident Services at 804-855-7065. Every cookie sale will help the HRHA Girl Scouts purchase needed supplies!

For the Love of Girls! Helping Hands—New Hope for US is looking for 40 girls, ages 11-14, to come out and experience a day full of self growth, fun and love at an event called “For the Love of Girls!” This free event is being held on February 27th from 11:00 am—3:00 pm at the Hopewell Community Center. Registration is currently open on a first come first serve basis and will end on February 13th. To register, email helpinghandsrhere2015@gmail.com and a registration form will be sent to you. All forms must be returned in order for your daughter to be registered. For more information, please contact Shannon Foskey at 757-470-9134. 2

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 Peay 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

FSS Program Highlights The Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) program was established by section 554 of The National Affordable Housing Act in 1990. HRHA established its FSS program in 2012 and is actively recruiting residents to contract into the program. The agency would like to provide program information to residents that are potentially receiving incorrect information about the program. Examples of incorrect information include but are not limited to the following: “After completing the FSS program, I must move.” – False TRUE: Residents may complete their FSS contract of participation, receive the money from their escrow account AND still continue living in public housing. However, homeownership is the ultimate goal of the FSS program. “If I don’t like the FSS program, I will lose my apartment for not participating.” - False TRUE: FSS is a completely voluntary program and does not affect your housing eligibility in any way. Residents are free to exit the FSS program at any time. “They are not going to refund my escrow anyway so I am not joining FSS” - False TRUE: The two ways in which escrow savings are not refunded back to FSS participants are: 1. Eviction 2. Termination from FSS due to no participation. It is your responsibility to work towards completing the goals you set. The FSS Coordinator’s primary role is to connect you to the resources you need in order to progress towards completion. Communication and cooperation are key to successfully completing the FSS program and receiving your escrow savings. Looking forward as we continue making progress in 2016, let’s reflect and acknowledge the accomplishments of our 38 highly motivated and determined FSS participants. These accomplishments include:         

12 Participants Gained Employment 11 Established Escrow Accounts and Have a Combined Savings of over $16,000! 1 First Time Homeowner 3 Moved into Fair Market Rental Housing 1 GED Obtained 3 Currently Enrolled in GED Courses 2 Graduated College 7 Currently Enrolled in College 7 Participants have completed Job Training Certification Programs

Congratulations to all the FSS participants! Remember, it’s one step at a time and one day at a time! 3

Public Housing Staff Hopewell Redevelopment & Housing Authority

Madelyn Peay, 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

Lafonia Thornton, Acting Housing Manager – (804) 541-0392 ext. 2 Piper Square & Kippax Place

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

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 Commissioner Hotline Number - (804) 720-2581