BRHA BEAC
Mosby Home Project To Get Underway Soon!!!
N
May 2010
Mission Statement The BRHA will provide safe, attractive, affordable housing and housing assistance, and the opportunity for families and others in need to achieve a higher standard of living.
Reminder It’s been a while coming, but finally, 20 units in the Mosby Home Development are getting much needed renovations. A contract has been awarded and work should begin by mid to late May. The following upgrades will be made to the units: • • • • • • • •
New windows New entrance doors High efficiency “HVAC” systems New architectural roof shingles New guttering Repair and paint all exterior surfaces New trim around windows and doors (similar to the Sapling Units) New heat/vent lights in bathrooms con’t on pg 2
“Confidential Hot Spot Cards” are available at the front desk at our office. If you are aware of any drug dealers, drug houses, drug related crimes, other criminal activity, and/or any quality of life issues, please report them on this card. You can make a difference!
Bristol Redevelopment and Housing Authority • 809 Edmond Street, Bristol, Virginia 24201
BRHA Newsletter • March 2010
www.brha.com • New electrical service • New heat/vent lights in bathrooms We remind you, there will be inconveniences during construction and ask you to please be patient. A BRHA staff person will be onsite overseeing the work, but if you have questions or concerns, please contact Mrs. Tignor, the Housing Manager.
Exterior Painting A contract was awarded in the late fall for exterior painting and repairs to guttering on the buildings in Rice Terrace and Johnson Court. Due to the weather conditions; the work was postponed until Spring. Painting is now in progress. This is the first building and it looks great!!!!! All of the buildings will get an exterior face-lift. We ask that residents stay away from work areas and be respectful to the workers that will be conducting work on BRHA property. Please keep children away from equipment, work areas and workers.
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BRHA Newsletter • March 2010 From the Executive Director Stimulus Funds Speed Up Improvement Projects
Bristol Redevelopment and Housing Authority was very fortunate to receive nearly $1 million from HUD through the federal stimulus package. These funds have allowed us to move forward on a number of important repair and improvement projects in our public housing facilities. Through a combination of regular capital funds and these special stimulus funds, we have completed or are now working on the following projects: •
automatic opening front entrance doors at Jones and Stant (completed);
•
replace roof on central office building (completed);
•
upgrade the fire alarm and safety systems at Jones and Stant (ongoing);
•
exterior repairs and painting of all buildings at Rice Terrace and Johnson Court (ongoing);
•
replace roofing, doors, windows, heating and air-conditioning at the “small family” Mosby units on Oak View (work will start within the next 2 months).
These projects will improve resident safety and comfort, as well as beautify our neighborhood! Your maintenance crew is also working on many other projects to improve your apartment complexes. We hope that you have noticed how beautiful the floors are in Jones and Stant; how nice the playground areas look; and how the grounds have been cleaned up at all of the sites. Help us to keep your neighborhood beautiful…and enjoy the summer!
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BRHA Newsletter • March 2010
www.brha.com
Utility Charges BRHA understands residents’ frustration about the rise in their utility charges and wanted to offer an explanation. The majority of resident utility bills are paid by the Housing Authority. Each individual unit has an established monthly utility usage allowance. Residents are only billed for usage which goes over their allowance. Excess usage utility bills are posted to residents accounts two months after usage. For instance, bills for March utility costs are from January usage. Unfortunately, just like most households in our region, many of our residents have noticed an increase in their utility bills over the past several months. This can largely be attributed to the unusually cold weather our area has experienced and increasing utility rates. BRHA understands that for some of our residents, the rise in utility bills has caused a financial hardship. If you are unable to pay your rent and utility costs in full each month, please contact your Housing Manager to discuss possible payment arrangements.
HOUSING AUTHORITY ID BADGES REQUIRED Residents are required to have a Housing Authority ID badge if you get locked out of your apartment and want maintenance to let you in. You will be given a chance to enter your apartment and produce a badge. You are required to have a HA ID badge if requested by the police department. Anyone that does not have a housing authority ID badge must come to the office to get one. If you call for maintenance to give you access to your unit and cannot present an ID badge you will not be given access. A reminder, if you call for maintenance to open your apartment, you will be charged.
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Family Self-Sufficiency Programs are Staying Busy
BRHA Newsletter • March 2010 Find A Way – Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) (family self sufficiency program)
Find A Way – Public Housing (family self sufficiency program)
February saw two new participants join the HCV FAW family.
During February, three participants were removed from the program as a result of lease violations. On a more positive note, the FAW program was shared with six new residents which resulted in one new enrollment.
Two participants completed their first semester of college and are actively working on their second. Several clients are completing job search through the Virginia Employment Commission website and continue to work on their resumes and interviewing skills.
One participant completed training in a new job and is now considered full-time. This same participant is also working on a business degree to continue to improve her future. Several workshops were held during February. The first two were conducted by members of the Bristol Virginia Police Department. One was on Crime Prevention and the other was on Gang Education. Other workshops included one from The Children’s Advocacy Center on Positive Parenting and the continuing Creativity Series workshop. The Creativity Series group is working on a presentation to share with others at a later date. In March Denise Dew from the Children’s Advocacy Center conducted a training on Internet Safety and Your Child. Several participants continue to work toward earning their GED’s and on graduation from various training programs. The FAW program is seeing more and more participants who are completing some of their established goals. They are starting to get excited about reaching their final goals of employment and/or homeownership.
One participant enrolled in the Strengthening Families course offered by Highlands Community Services. Several referrals to various service agencies were made during February. Bad News for the HCV FSS Program Unfortunately, BRHA received final word from HUD that we were not funded for the HCV FSS Coordinator position for 2009. We plan on applying again in 2010 if HUD releases a notice of funding availability for the position. Program participants have been notified and are in hopes of the program being awarded funding for a Coordinator position in the future.
Find A Way Plus (elderly/ persons with disabilities program) Highlands Community Services conducted a workshop on “Bipolar Depression”. Two counselors discussed the symptoms of a person with bipolar depression and how this disease affects family, friends and the community at large. Page5
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BRHA Newsletter • March 2010 Reminder To Residents
Eleven clients gathered for “Soup and a Movie”. Clients brought canned goods to make “Stone Soup”. This was a time for clients to gather to help with their sense of community and overall wellbeing.
• BRHA Residents must take inside every
A Cardiac Dietitian from Wellmont Regional Hospital in Bristol provided a workshop on ways to have a healthier heart. Ten clients participated and learned answers to questions such as:
• Trash is to be placed in appropriate containers and placed inside the dumpster located througout the area
1. Why can’t I have biscuits and gravy every morning for breakfast? 2. Do triglycerides really affect my body? 3. What does it mean to have high cholesterol? 4. What does body mass index really mean and why is it important? The Dietitian provided handouts to all in attendance. Eight people attended Neighborhood Watches for Sapling Grove and Stant Hall. At the Nutrition Class, nine clients received forms to record the number of servings of fruits and vegetables they consumed on a daily basis. They also received exercise bands and food from the Share Food Bank. The instructor demonstrated several exercises clients could do with the exercise bands.
Find a Way Coordinators want to encourage residents to participate in classes that are offered. All classes are free of charge and include a variety of helpful topics. If you are not aware of scheduled classes or training, please contact Lynn Pannell (8216270) for Public Housing or Diana Farris (8216269) for elderly and persons with disablities.
Spring is on the Way!!! night all toys, bicycles, and furniture or items that are not supposed to be outside
• Don’t leave pet food outside as this attracts stray animals and wild critters • Keep all trash picked up in your yard. Any items left out or trash thrown around in the yard will be picked up by maintenance and you will be charged. Please help in keeping your apartment community looking nice and free from debris. If everyone helps, we can be proud of our communities.
Tentative Date for Summerfest
Summerfest is tentatively scheduled to take place on Saturday July 31st, 11:00-2:00. The event will be held between the buildings of Jones Manor and Stant Hall. This is a yearly event with lots of fun things to do.
Watch for flyers!!!
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Upgrades Being Made To The Fire Alarm Systems At Jones Manor And Stant Hall You have probably noticed work going on in our two mid-rise buildings. Upgrades have been made to the fire alarm systems and new entrance doors have been installed . There have been problems in the past with false alarms alerting the fire department. BRHA has made upgrades to remedy this problem.
BRHA Newsletter • March 2010
Work Order Charges HUD is requiring Housing Authorities to operate more like a private business. Therefore, work order charges are being placed on resident accounts if the work is beyond normal wear and tear. In the past the Housing Authority has absorbed most of the cost of work done in units. We are no longer able to absorb those costs. Residents are encouraged to continue calling the maintenance department with any problems in the unit, so that little problems do not evolve into major problems. If you have questions about the work order charges, or experience financial difficulty in paying your charges, please contact your housing manager to discuss the issue. Please do not neglect paying your bills because that could result in eviction. If your rent and other charges are not being paid in a timely manner, you will be taken to court for failure to pay. If you are taken to court, the court cost are added to what you owe, so don’t hesitate in calling your manager if you are having problems.
Confronting Roaches? Choose Strategies That Are Non-toxic To Humans BRHA Staff Available to Residents In order to accommodate residents, Housing Managers have set aside a block of time for appointment hours to meet with clients. If you need an appointment call your Manager or the front desk.
Roaches need food and water to survive. Provide them with neither and they will have to look elsewhere. Use the following to help get rid of these pest: Dispose of any exposed foods, food spills or buildup of food on cabinets, counters, stoves Check for and repair water leaks Dust boric acid around the corners of rooms and in hidden places
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BRHA Newsletter • March 2010
www.brha.com
How to Reach Us: Main Phone: (276) 642-2001 Property Managers: Shiela Wambolt (276) 821-6263 Pat Tignor
(276) 821-6257
Maintenance
(276) 642-2006
Website: www.brha.com
Dates To Remember: • BRHA Board Meetings: 3rd Monday of each month at 4:00 pm • Public Housing Applications-Tuesdays and Thursdays • HCV Applications -Wednesdays • Office Closed: May 29 Memorial Day July 5, Independence Day
September 6, Labor Day
Bristol Redevelopment and Housing Authority 809 Edmond Street Bristol, Virginia 24201
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BRHA Newsletter • March 2010
www.brha.com
How to Reach Us: Main Phone:
(276) 642-2001
Property Managers: Shiela Wambolt (276) 821-6263 Pat Tignor
(276) 821-6257
Maintenance:
(276) 642-2006
Web site: www.brha.com
Dates To Remember: • BRHA Board Meetings: 3rd Monday of each month at 4:00 pm • Public Housing Applications-Tuesdays and Thursdays • HCV Applications -Tuesdays • Office Closed:
May 31-Memorial Day July 5-Independence Day
September 6-Labor Day
Bristol Redevelopment and Housing Authority 809 Edmond Street Bristol, Virginia 24201
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