March 2013 Grapevine

March 2013

THE GRAPEVINE Hopewell Redevelopment & Housing Authority

RAD Application Update

Volume 208, Issue 37

Monthly Reminders: 

A press conference was held in the Langston Park Community Center on February 8, 2013 to unveil the Authority’s redevelopment plans for the Langston Park and Kippax Place communities. Both projects are esti-  mated at more than $9 million dollars each.

Pictured above are: Councilor Roosevelt Edwards, Councilor Jackie Shornak, Councilor Wayne Walton, a Representative from Senator Mark Warner’s Office, Vice-Mayor Jasmine Gore, Steven Benham, HRHA Executive Director, and HUD Representatives Carrie S. Schmidt, Director of the Richmond Field Office and Jerryl Bennett, Director of Public Housing for the Richmond Field Office.

HRHA in partnership with Community Housing Partners is currently in the process of applying for tax credits to support project financing. Residents will receive upcoming notice of the third community

meeting to be held later this spring.

The RAD program provides a subsidy contract for 20 years allowing PHAs to take on debt to redevelop aging properties. Improvement of the affordable housing stock in Hopewell translates to enhanced quality of life for our residents, increased tax base for the city of Hopewell and job opportunities for local citizens.





Neighborhood Watch/Resident Council Meetings: Kippax Place— March 5, 2013 5:30 pm Davisville/Bland Court—March 13, 2013 5:00 pm Piper Square—March 14, 2013 5:30 pm Thomas Rolfe—March 21, 2013 5:00 pm Langston Park—March 27, 2013 5:00 pm Piper Square Boy Scout Meeting every Thursday from 4:30—5:30 p.m. in the Community Center.

Langston Park After School Tutoring, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:30-6:30 pm in the Community Center.

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

Inside this issue: HRHA Grievance Procedure

2

HRHA Employee Spotlight

2

Easter Eggplosion

2

Management Policy

3

Central Virginia Youth Leadership Summit

3

Management Corner

4

HRHA staff is very excited about the enhancement and development plans of the properties.

Maintenance Position

4

For more information please, contact Steven Benham, Executive Director at (804) 458-5160.

VSU Mathematics Scholarship Program

4

Michael Patrick of Kippax Place and Valerie McDougal of Langston Park spoke on behalf of the residents at the event. “We feel like it will have an uplifting effect on our children. They will no longer feel like a product of the projects,” stated Valerie McDougal during her speech. She also thanked Abundant Life Christian Center International and Clearr Vission, HRHA community partners, for having a positive impact in the Langston Park community.

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.

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 Commissioner at 804-720-2581.

HRHA Employee Spotlight We would like to welcome aboard Mr. Dan Van Doornik, Director of Finance & Administration. Dan came to HRHA from the City of Richmond, Virginia Finance Department and, prior to that, the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He brings broad experience in government, quasigovernment and non-profit organizations, having served in Finance Department leadership positions in each of these areas.

Dan is responsible for planning and overseeing all agency financial and administrative operations, ensuring the efficient and effective financial standing of the Authority. This responsibility includes financial reporting, financial management, business and system processes, executive management, and strategic planning.

Dan enjoys his role in the Authority because applying his experience in finance, information systems and executive and project management allows the HRHA team to better serve the residents of our communities.

Easter Eggplosion HRHA is hosting its second annual Easter Egg hunt in the Piper Square community on March 16, 2013 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. There will be food, games and prizes for the youth who attend the event. Last year’s event was a huge success and we hope this year will be even better. Residents can assist the authority by volunteering their time on the day of the event or donating items such as candy. Vendors that have youth and family services will be onsite with information for parents. This will also be an opportunity to register members of your family for one of the programs currently offered through Resident Services.

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. Latasha Allen -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

Central Virginia Youth Leadership Summit

Six hundred of the area’s youth ages 14-21 attended the 2012 summit. The annual event is sponsored by The Crater Regional Workforce Investment Board, Capital Region Workforce Partnership and the South Central Workforce Investment Area.

The free, day long summit features workshops in leadership, education, financial literacy, employment and other life and social skills and influential speakers. Sponsors of the event hope that attendees develop leadership skills. Meals are included free of charge, but registration is required.

WHEN: Saturday, 03.30.2013 WHERE: Greater Richmond Convention Center 403 N. 3rd St., Richmond, VA TIME: 9:00a.m. – 2:30p.m.

ATTENDEES: Teens and Young Adults Ages 14-21 (Parents/Guardians are also welcome)

3

Management Corner It takes a village to raise a child. ~ African Proverb Resident involvement is very important to the development of our communities. HRHA goes to great lengths to provide programs and activities for all ages. We would like to encourage everyone to take part in the activities that we provide, especially the parents. When parents are involved, children are more eager to participate in activities. Children are a part of a home, but they are a larger part of a community. Every member of the community plays a significant role in molding the child’s thoughts and behaviors. HRHA and its community partners have made the commitment to participate in the village. Are you willing to do the same?

HRHA Maintenance Aide Position Hopewell Redevelopment and Housing Authority (HRHA) is accepting applications for the MAINTENANCE AIDE position. Applicant will be responsible for performing various maintenance and custodial services upon apartment building/grounds. Some knowledge of basic building maintenance and ability to make minor building and equipment repairs is required. Custodial & grounds maintenance experience required. Work involves continuous physical movement such as walking, lifting and operating equipment. Hiring range is $23,278-29,097 plus excellent fringe benefits.

Valid Virginia Driver’s License is required. Interested persons may apply at 350 E. Poythress Street, Hopewell, VA 23860. A copy of the complete job description and application are available at www.hopewellrha.org under the Job Announcements tab. Position will remain open until filled. HRHA is an Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Employer.

VSU Mathematics Scholarship Program Virginia State University is offering the Central Virginia Undergraduate Mathematics Scholarship Program (CVUMSP) through a grant received from the National Science Foundation. The program is in partnership with John Tyler Community College, Richard Bland College and J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College. To meet eligibility requirements you must be a U.S. citizen, have a minimum GPA of 2.75 in undergraduate coursework and have an interest in teaching math at the middle or high school level in Virginia. Award recipients will receive a $10,000 tuition stipend for a maximum of two years, expense free travel to professional meetings and conferences, professional development experiences and a summer internship. Applications are currently being accepted and may be obtained from the VSU Department of Mathematics or the Professional Education Program Unit. For more information email your name and contact information to cvumsp@vsu.edu or call 804-524-5920. Minorities and women are encouraged to apply.

4

Public Housing Staff Hopewell Redevelopment & Latasha Allen-Hyde, Public Housing Director – (804) 458-5160 Housing Authority P.O. Box 1361 350 E. Poythress Street Hopewell, VA 23860

Lillian Millán, 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 Joyce J. Gholson, Resident Services Specialist – (804) 452-1880 ext. 4 Emergency After Hours – (804) 640-9337

5