March 2016 Grapevine by Hopewell Redevelopment & Housing Authority

March 2016

THE GRAPEVINE Hopewell Redevelopment & Housing Authority

Easter Eggstravaganza 2016

Volume 212, Issue 3

Monthly Reminders: 

Community/Resident Council Meetings: Kippax Place — March 8, 2016 5:30

Davisville/Bland Court — March 9, 2016 1:00 pm Piper Square — March 16, 2016 1:00 pm Thomas Rolfe — March 17, 2016 1:00 pm 

Rental payments are due on the

HRHA is hosting its fifth annual Easter Egg Hunt at Crystal Lake, 3600 River Road, on Saturday, April 2nd from 12:00 — 4:00 pm. This year, HRHA has not only again joined forces with The Wicked Few, but has added Helping Hands and Community Housing Partners (CHP) as partners in this event. There will be plenty of food, games, musical performances and prizes for the youth who attend the event.

1st of each month and must be

Last year’s event was attended by nearly 250 children from HRHA communities and the city of Hopewell. This year, we expect that number to  increase due to the collaboration of the different agencies. The anticipation of more kids, means more eggs for your children to hunt for. The hunt will start at 3:00 pm and will be for ages four—12. However; everyone is welcome to attend and participate in the festivities prior to the actual hunt.

be assessed.

HRHA’s Girl Scouts troop will have a booth at this event selling Girl Scouts cookies for all who missed the pre-order sale. Cookies are four dollars a box and a portion of the proceeds go to our troop. Transportation for HRHA residents will be available and schedules will be posted on community boards by March 28th. Residents do not have to register for transportation but must see rules posted on the flyer. Residents needing community service hours are encouraged to volunteer for this event as well as those who just want to help. Donations for the event are being collected by The Wicked Few and Helping Hands. To donate should contact helpinghandsrhere2015@gmail.com or wdabney01@gmail.com. If you have general questions about the event, please contact Terence Barber at 804-452-1880 x4.

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 Computer classes every Friday from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. in the Piper Square community center.

Inside this issue: HRHA Grievance Procedure

FSS Highlight

VAHCDO Scholarship

Management Policy

REAC Inspections

Headstart Recruitment Fairs

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.

FSS Program Highlight HRHA would like to congratulate Miesha Faison, Piper Square resident, who just finished her first education related goal by completing the Child Development Associate (CDA) job training program and passing her state exam. Miesha is now a Certified Child Development Associate and has increased her earning potential from minimum wage, without a CDA, to approximately $11.00 per hour simply by completing this program. The Family Self-Sufficiency Program can help you get back on track with your educational goals! HRHA has many educational and workforce development partners that can assist you with college enrollment, learning a trade, program certifications and more. For more information on how to join the Family Self-Sufficiency program contact Jennifer Campbell at 804-855-7065. Space is limited and few slots are remaining!

VACHDO Scholarships Each spring annual scholarships are awarded by the Virginia Association of Housing and Community Development Officials (VAHCDO) to Virginia residents of public and other assisted housing who are high school seniors. HRHA submits scholarship applications on behalf of high school students living in HRHA communities who meet grade point average requirements. HRHA believes that education is very important to a successful future. VAHCDO is only one of many scholarships made available to high school students. Applications are due March 11th and all seniors who meet the qualifications are encouraged to apply. For more information please contact 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. 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

REAC Inspections HRHA has been scheduled for it’s annual HUD Real Estate Assessment Center’s (REAC) inspection March 8th through March 10th, 2016, between the hours of 9am and 5pm. Once the REAC Inspector arrives to the sites, 20% of units will be randomly selected for inspection. Notices have been delivered explaining what you as a HRHA resident can do to help ensure our inspection receives the highest score possible. We hope everyone will be prepared to show that HRHA is the best!

Hopewell Headstart Recruitment Fairs The mission of Hopewell Head Start is provide an effective and comprehensive child development program to meet the emotional, social, health, nutritional, and psychological needs of qualified preschool children and their families. Head Start helps to prepare children for success in school and in life. Children receive a positive introduction to practicing healthy habits. Head Start builds confidence in children and parents. Parents become involved in their children's education, discover their own strengths, and continue to develop their fullest potential. Head Start will be holding a three day recruitment fair for families who are interested. Application intake will take place according to your child’s last name. Applications for children whose last name begin with the letters “A-I” will be taken on March 7th, “J-R” on March 8th, and “S-Z” on March 10th. These recruitment fairs will be held at the Woodlawn Learning Center at 1100 Dinwiddie Avenue from 9:00 am—1:00 pm. Please be sure to bring the required items to process the application. The required items are proof of income, child’s vital records birth certificate, proof of residency, health insurance card, immunization record, current physical and current dental examination. Children must be between the ages of three (by September 30th) and four to register for the program. Transportation assistance is available to all families of enrolled children. All applicants must be residents of the city of Hopewell and families with children that have disabilities are encouraged to apply. All applications will be ranked to determine eligibility. For further information please call 804-541-6414.

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

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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