Dear Neighbor:
My name is Martha Hood and I
live in a neighborhood near you, where the stench of poverty and homicide is
overwhelming.As part of my dedication to maintaining the
best possible living environments for all residents, living in toxic public
Housing,Multifamily housing projects,
and subsidized housing; I encourage you to play an important role in decisions
that affect the neighborhood you reside in
Please help me to eradicate
contagious housing in a neighborhood near you.
This information is being distributed to you because the
United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, Which has ultimate Jurisdiction over the project in which you live has provided
some form of assistance or subsidy for your apartment building or home. You
play an important role In making your place of residence ---the unit (apartment),
the grounds, and other common areas--- a better place to live in creating a
community you can be proud of.
As a resident of a HUD – assisted multifamily housing
project, you should be aware of your rights.
You, as a resident (tenant), have rights and
responsibilities that help make your HUD –assisted housing a better home for
you and your family.
Involving Your Apartment
·
The right to live in a decent, safe, and
sanitary housing that is free from environmental hazards such as lead – based
paint hazards.
·
The right to have repairs performed in a timely
manner, upon request, and to have a quality maintenance program run by
management.
·
The right to be given reasonable notice, in
writing, of any nonemergency inspection or other entry into your apartment.
Involving Resident Organizations
·
The right to organize as residents without
obstruction, harassment, or retaliation from property owners or management.
·
The right to post materials in common areas and
provide leaflets informing other residents of their rights and of opportunities
to involve themselves in their project.
·
The right, which may be subject to a reasonable,
HUD – approved fee, to use appropriate common space or meeting facilities to
organize or to consider any issue affecting
the condition or management of the property.
·
The right to meet without the owner/manager
present.
·
The right to be recognized by property owners
and managers as having a voice in residential community affairs.
Involving Nondiscrimination
The right to equal and fair treatment and use of your
building’s services and facilities without regard to race, color, religion ,
gender , disability ,
familial status (children
under 18), national origin (ethnicity or language), or in some circumstances,
age.
As a resident of a HUD- assisted multifamily housing
project, you also have certain responsibilities to ensure that your building
remains a suitable home
for you and your neighbors. By signing your lease, you and
the owner/ Management Company have entered into a legal, enforceable contract.
You and the owner/management
company have entered into a legal, enforceable contract. You
and the owner/management company are responsible for complying with your lease,
house rules,
and local laws governing your property. If you have any
questions about your lease or do not have a copy of it, contact your management
agent or local HUD field office.
To your Property Owner
or Management Agent
·
Complying with the rules and guidelines that
govern your lease.
·
Paying the correct amount of rent on a timely
basis each month.
·
Providing accurate information to the owner at
the certification or re-certification interview to determine your total tenant
payment,
And consenting to the release of
information by a third party to allow for verification.
·
Reporting changes in the family’s income.
To the project and to
your fellow residents
·
Conducting yourself in manner that will not disturb
your neighbors.
·
Not engaging in criminal activity in the unit,
common area, or grounds.
·
Keeping your unit clean and not littering the
grounds or common areas.
·
Disposing of garbage and waste in a proper
manner.
·
Complying with local codes that affect the
health or safety of the residence.
·
Maintaining your apartment and common areas in
the same general physical condition as when you moved in.
·
Reporting any apparent environmental hazards to
the management , such as peeling paint--- which is a hazard if it is a lead – based
paint—and any
defects in building systems, fixtures,
appliances, or other parts of the unit, the grounds, or related facilities.
Is important
Residents in HUD – assisted multifamily housing can play an
important role in decisions that affect their project. Different HUD programs
provide for specific
Resident rights. You have the right to know which under
which HUD program your building is assisted. To find out if your apartment
building is covered under
Any of the following categories, contact your management
agent. If your building is funded by HUD you have the right to participate or
be notified of, and comment on the following.
·
An increase in the maximum permissible rent.
·
Conversion of a project from project-paid
utilities to tenant –paid utilities or a reduction in tenant utility allowance.
·
Conversion of residential units in a multifamily
housing project to a nonresidential use or to condominiums, or the transfer of
the project
to a cooperative housing mortgagor
corporation or association.
·
Partial release of mortgage security,
·
Capital improvements that represent a
substantial addition to the project.
·
Nonrenewal of a project –based Section 8
contract.
·
Any other action which could ultimately lead to
involuntarily temporary or permanent relocation of residents.
Prepayment of mortgage.
Is important
If you live in a building that is owned by HUD and is being sold,
you have the right to be notified of, and comment on, HUD’s plans for disposing
of the building.
If your unit has a project –based Section 8 contract that is
expiring or being terminated and will not be renewed, the assisted family may
elect to remain in the
same project in which
the family was residing on the dated of the eligibility event for the project.
The family residing in an assisted unit may be eligible for an
enhanced voucher. Owners must provide a 1 – year
notification of their intent to opt out of Section 8 contract. Residents may
use the Section 8 voucher in any
building with rents in the allowable range. Eligible tenants
can receive enhanced vouchers only if they remain in the same project in which
they resided on the date
the Section 8 contact
was terminated. If an eligible tenant moves, they are eligible for a Section 8
voucher that is not enhanced. You also have the right to relocation
counseling, where you
can learn about housing options available to you.
If you need help or more information, you may
contact:
Your local HUD field office- http://www.hud.gov/local/index.cfm
HUD’s Office of Inspector General Hot line at 1-800-347-3735
to report fraud, waste, or mismanagement.
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