November 2013 Grapevine

November 2013

THE GRAPEVINE Hopewell Redevelopment & Housing Authority

Community Service Spotlight The community service and financial self-sufficiency requirements directed

by HUD, state that each nonexempt adult household member (18 years or older) shall either contribute 8 hours per month of community service, or participate in a financial self-sufficiency program for 8 hours per month. The requirements can also be met by a combining 8 hours of community serFreddie Cox is pictured above assisting with the 2013 National Night Out event vice and participation in a financial selfsufficiency program.

Failure to meet the community service requirement is a lease violation.

The below language can be found in the dwelling lease you signed upon becoming a resident of HRHA. Failure of a household member to comply with the community service provision set forth in Paragraph 10.B (xxviii) of this lease is grounds only for non-renewal of the Lease and termination of tenancy at the end of the one year lease term.

Freddie Cox, of Piper Square, has been in public housing for seven years and frequently volunteers with HRHA to earn his monthly community service hours. “I like helping maintenance do things around the communities, and I try to encourage people to do the same. I have learned a lot from maintenance that will help me in my future,” said Freddie. He also attends the Neighborhood Watch meetings and activities offered through Resident Services.

While HRHA does try to accommodate as many requests as possible from residents who wish to complete their hours by working onsite, the agency is not able to assist everyone. Resident Services has compiled a list of local organizations that need volunteers to help them fulfill their missions within the community. Many churches and nonprofits are in need of assistance within Hopewell. Volunteering with outside organizations is a great way to acquire job skills that can be used to build a resume. It can also lead to employment if a position becomes available.

The Resident Services Specialist has information on organizations looking for volunteers for residents needing a place to complete their hours.

Residents are required to turn in completion of hours on a company letterhead that contains the contact information of the person that can confirm the hours were completed. If you are currently enrolled in a welfare to work program please notify Resident Services for an exemption.

Volume 208, Issue 45

Monthly Reminders: 

Neighborhood Watch/Resident Council Meetings: Kippax Place— November 5, 2013 5:30 pm Davisville/Bland Court— November 13, 2013 1:00 pm Piper Square—November 20, 2013 1:00 pm Thomas Rolfe—November 21, 2013 1:00 pm Langston Park—November 27, 2013 1:00 pm

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Laos Outreach Karate Program every Tuesday at Laos Outreach 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 fee will be assessed.

Tutoring Program every Tuesday and Thursday in the Thomas Rolfe community center from 4:30-6:00 p.m.

Piper Square Good News Club in the Piper Square community center November 16th from 2:30-3:30.

Inside this issue: HRHA Grievance Procedure

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HRHA Employee Spotlight

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Management Policy

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Substance Abuse Assistance

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Thanksgiving Tips

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Management Corner

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Employment Opportunities

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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.

HRHA Employee Spotlight

Steve Benham was born in Philadelphia, PA, and shortly after birth, his family moved to Cartersville, GA. Steve has been married to his high school sweetheart, Linda, for 36 years and they have two sons.

He came to HRHA in July 2009. He attended the University of Georgia where he obtained a B.S. degree in biology, followed by a MBA degree from Strayer University in business administration. After leaving the military, he moved to Richmond where he was employed by the Insignia Management Group and the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority for the next 16 years in various management positions.

Steve is the Immediate Past President of the Hopewell Rotary Club and a Trustee of the Historic Hopewell Foundation. He enjoys the various opportunities afforded him to help others through his church in Richmond and these other organizations throughout Hopewell.

Steve is a former resident of public housing and has goals for HRHA to improve every facet of its operation. He wants to provide assets for housing and economic self-sufficiency envisioned by the legislative architects of low-income public housing to be a stable place where families can use their gifts, talents and resources to realize a more complete life.

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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

Substance Abuse Assistance Elk Hill has partnered with HRHA and will be providing various services to our residents, one being substance abuse counseling that will take place here in the HRHA communities.

Elk Hill is a nonprofit organization that has been in existence for over forty years, beginning initially as a place for homeless boys to go. Elk Hill provides and facilitates healthy environments where young people and their families can feel safe to make positive changes. In the last five years, Elk Hill has branched out through the community services programs located in the Metro Richmond, Goochland and Charlottesville areas.

The substance abuse counseling will be outpatient counseling services for clients experiencing chronic problems with alcohol or drugs and will be rendered by Licensed Mental Health Professionals (LMHP).

All information given by the resident at the counseling sessions or to HRHA staff will be confidential. If you have any questions on how to get started, please contact the Resident Services Department.

Thanksgiving Tips If you have not discovered Pinterest, the Thanksgiving holiday would be the perfect opportunity to start pinning. Pinterest boards contain many ideas for holiday decorating, crafts to complete with your children and recipes. You can create your own boards or follow the boards of others.

Pinterest can help you turn free or inexpensive items such as pinecones, peanuts and fall leaves into great home dĂŠcor to wow visitors who may be attending your Thanksgiving dinner. There are many crafts that can be done with your children to allow them to become more involved in the holiday planning and festivities.

The decoration featured in the picture is made with the bottom of a lunch bag, a fall leaf and paper. If you need to decorate on a budget, give Pinterest a try. HRHA would like to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving and happy pinning!

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Management Corner Several residents have recently inquired about lease provisions that enforce regulations regarding noise, guests and traffic during the monthly neighborhood watch meetings. The new dwelling lease that was effective August 1, 2013 does address these concerns as noted below. HRHA encourages each resident to thoroughly read their lease and familiarize themselves with the lease requirements.

In the new dwelling lease there are a several areas that address the concerns of noise, quiet hours and resident guests. The areas that address these concerns are as follows: Tenant Obligation, Section O: Tenant agrees to take reasonable measures to ensure that any child under his/her custody fifteen (15) years of age or younger, is not allowed upon the public housing premises between 10 p.m. and sunrise of the following day, unless accompanied by the parent(s), guardian, or other adult lawfully in charge of such child OR to otherwise violate the City of Hopewell Curfew Ordinance.

Tenant Obligation, Section S: To act in cooperative manner with neighbors and Authority’s staff. To refrain from and cause members of Resident’s household and guest to refrain from acting or speaking in an abusive or threatening manner towards neighbors and PHA staff.

Rules and Regulations, Section 12: Do not play radios, televisions sets, CD’s, DVD’s, and /or stereos at a volume that will disturb your neighbors. High volume sounds from home or car stereos, televisions, musical instruments, singing, power tools and such are not permitted. While you are expected to show consideration and courtesy to other Tenants 24 hours a day, seven days a week, the tenant shall keep volume of any of the above sufficiently reduced especially before seven (7) o’clock AM and the after eleven (11) o’clock PM so as not to disturb other tenants.

Employment Opportunities

HRHA has information on employment opportunities for the following employers: 

Kool Smiles

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Amazon

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Cintas

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PetSmart

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Food Lion

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Fedex

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Merit Medical

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Fort Lee

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Wendy’s

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Hyatt Place

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Lane Company

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Columbia Gas

If you need assistance with your job search or online employment process, please contact the Resident Services Department.

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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 Program Intern — (804) 541-0392 ext. 4 Emergency After Hours – (804) 640-9337

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