Roanoke Rising Summer 2023
Roanoke Rising Summer 2023 - Cover
Roanoke Rising
Summer 2023
Roanoke Rising Summer 2023 - CEO Message
Welcome to the Summer 2023 edition of the Roanoke Rising! It is hard to believe that we are halfway through 2023. Some are preparing for vacations, and children are enjoying their summer break.
Before I get into what's happening in the Summer, let's look back at Spring. Our team has worked diligently to close FYE2023 (July 2022 - June 2023), the Board approved the FYE2024 budget, staff attended conferences and training sessions to stay abreast of HUD's regulatory mandates (i.e., NSPIRE, HOTMA, etc.), policies were updated to comply with regulatory updates, and we added new members to our team, and some were promoted. Kudos to our Finance team for implementing various electronic workflows, which have significantly improved efficiency! The following pages of the Roanoke Rising highlight other exciting events that happened during the Spring.
ummer is off to a hot start for our team! The Roanoke Housing Authority desires to implement Phase ll of the surveillance camera installation at the Avenue A and Seymour sites, we are exploring funding options to offer Wi-Fi connection in all units, and we look forward to completing other applicable goals and objectives. Special thank you to our maintenance team for their hard work in preparing for inspections, responding to work orders, and "turning" units during these hot summer months!
As always, I want to thank the Board for entrusting me to continue to serve as the CEO of the Roanoke Housing Authority. Thank you to our community partners for your contributions as we strive to provide valuable services and resources to our families.
I hope that you find the Summer 2023 Roanoke Rising edition to be a useful tool to communicate upcoming news, events, and more. For more information, please visit our website at www.auburnhousingauth.org and sign up for "News and More" to receive email and text notifications. Also, be sure to connect with us on social media!
As we end the Spring season and start Summer, please be mindful as we embark on record-breaking hot temperatures and stay safe in the sun. As always, "Please take care of yourself and each other"
Bountiful Blessings,
Sharon N. Tolbert, CEO
Roanoke Rising Summer 2023 - Commissioner's Corner
RHA is governed by a five-member Board of Commissioners, representing a cross section of the community and appointed by the Mayor of the City of Roanoke. One member must be a resident of an RHA property or program.
The Commissioners are responsible for overseeing the fiscal management of the agency and approving policies.
The board meetings are held at 5:30 pm on the 2nd Thursday in March, June, September and December. The meeting date is subject to change. Thank you to all Commissioners for your loyal and dedicated service to the RHA!
Paula Lambert, Chairperson Sarah Nunn, Vice-Chairperson & Resident Commissioner Robert Alton Joiner, Commissioner Patrice Awbrey, Commissioner
Scot Thomason, Commissioner
RHA Board Meetings
Date: September 14 and December 14
Time: 5:30 pm (CST)Location: RHA Administrative Office
201 Avenue A, Roanoke, AL.The date, time, and location are subject to change.
Board Updates
During the previous quarter (April - June 2023), the Board approved the FYB2022 budget revisions, FYB2023 budget, tenant write-offs, 2023 Utility Allowance and Flat Rent Schedules, policy revisions, and other action items. Commissioner Paula Lambert was appointed Chairperson and Commissioner Scot Thomason was appointed Vice Chairperson with terms beginning July 2023 - June 2024.
Roanoke Rising Summer 2023 - HR & News
New Team Members
Alicia Johnson
Maintenance Mechanic
RHA (04.05.23)
Jaquinta Pettis
Receptionist/Cashier
(06.08.23)
Promotions
Tina Rodriguez
Interim HCV Caseworker l
(05.15.23)
Justin Rowell
Interim Maintenance Mechanic
(07.17.23)
Employee Spotlight: Greg Moore
Greg Moore has been employed with Auburn Housing Authority for 10 years. He was hired as Building Maintenance Assistant at the LaFayette Housing Authority site. Greg received his HVAC certification and was promoted to Maintenance Mechanic HVAC in 2016. He has completed various professional development trainings that prepared him for promotion to Regional Maintenance Manager in October 2022 after serving in an interim capacity. As Regional Maintenance Manager, Greg oversees the daily operations of the Maintenance Division at the Auburn, LaFayette, and Roanoke Housing Authorities. We look forward to Greg's continued leadership of our maintenance team!
Staff Directory
Sandra Sanders Executive Admin Assistant 237 ssanders@auburnhousingauth.org
Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Wendy Cochran Chief Operating Officer 247 wcochran@auburnhousingauth.org
Shannon Walters HCV Manager 221 sbarrios@auburnhousingauth.org
Todd James
HCV Caseworker II (PBV) 267 Charlotte Bowen
HCV Caseworker II (TBV) 224
Tina Rodriguez Interim HCV Caseworker I 217 Rachel Harris Family Self-Sufficiency Coordinator 259
Multifamily Housing (MFH) Laura Squiers MFH Director 243 lsquiers@auburnhousingauth.org
Dominique Moore Property Management Supervisor 242
Greg Moore Regional Maintenance Manager
262
Jaquinta Pettus Cashier/Receptionist 217
Charlotte Mattox Resident Services Coordinator 230
Finance Wendy Cochran Chief Operating Officer 247 wcochran@auburnhousingauth.org
Richetta Stephens Interim Accountant 228 rstephens@auburnhousingauth.org
Sylvia Impson Purchasing Clerk 255
Roanoke Rising Summer 2023 - HR & News Continued
Office Closures
- Labor Day, September 4th
Observed holidays that fall on Friday or Saturday will be observed on the preceding Thursday because the Housing Authority's office is closed on Friday. Observed holidays that fall on Sunday will be observed on the following Monday.
Careers
Current Openings
Visit www.auburnhousingauth.org/careers for job descriptions.
Employee Benefits:
- BCBS medical benefits
- BCBS dental benefits
- Group life insurance
- State retirement
- Supplemental insurance
- Annual leave
- Sick leave
- Paid holidays
- Career Incentive Program (CIP)*
- Four-day work week (Monday - Thursday)
*The Board of Commissioners approved the CIP in May 2022. The CIP encourages employees to obtain and develop job-related knowledge and skills which enhance their value to AHA and its managed agencies. To foster participation in higher-level career development opportunities, the CIP incentivizes employees to achieve various professional development milestones.
Procurement
E-Procurement Process
To improve our communication with our vendors, reduce administrative costs, and streamline our procurement process, AHA conducts most of its competitive solicitations on the e-Procurement Marketplace site. Please be advised that AHA absorbs all costs for using this Marketplace. Therefore, your firm incurs no additional charges to use this Marketplace site to respond to a published procurement solicitation.
To take part in the e-procurement process, please follow these instructions:
1. Visit ha.economicengine.com (no "www").
2. Registered Users - Click on the "login" button on the upper left side
3. Non-registered Users - Click on the "Sign up as a Vendor" button on the lower-left side of the screen and follow the listed directions to register.
4. Select - Auburn Housing Authority as your Agency
If you have any problems accessing or registering on the Marketplace, please contact their customer support at (866) 526-9266.Benefits of utilizing e-Procurement include:
• Automatic notification of bid opportunities
• The ability to download procurement documents
• Automatic notification of addenda
• Access to procurement
Roanoke Rising Summer 2023 - Award
2023 SERC-NAHRO Collaboration Award
The Auburn Housing Authority (AHA) was the recipient of the 2023 SERC-NAHRO Collaboration Award. The award was presented in June 2023 during the 2023 SERC-NAHRO Conference held in Orlando, FL.
AHA received the Collaboration Award for its 2022 Landlord Symposium. The City of Auburn, Alabama DHR, Department of Veterans Affairs, and Alabama Rural Coalition for the Homeless participated in the symposium.
Roanoke Rising Summer 2023 - Events
Bingo
RHA hosted bingo at the Administration Office in April. Attendees won great prizes!
Farmer's Market
The Roanoke Housing Authority (RHA) sponsored a Farmer's Market at the Administration Office on May 17. Fifty (50) families were served.
Thank you to all Commissioners and volunteers that assisted during the event!
Roanoke Rising Summer 2023 - HCV Programs
Tenant-Based Vouchers (TBV)
Auburn Housing Authority's (AHA) Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Tenant-Based Voucher (TBV) Program allows low-income families to rent quality housing in the private market via federal funds provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Through the HCV Program, AHA pays a portion of eligible families' rent each month directly to the property owner. Families can use their vouchers to rent a house or apartment in the private market throughout Lee County, with the exception of the city limits of Opelika, AL.
Because there are more families who need rental assistance than there are funds available, AHA uses a waiting list to administer the program to eligible families.
Applicant families must meet the following eligibility requirements to qualify for the HCV Program:
• Meet HUD's definition of family
• Meet income limits specified by HUD
• Qualify on the basis of citizenship or eligible immigrant status
• Provide Social Security number
• Sign required consent forms
• Pass screening processCurrently, AHA's tenant-based voucher waiting list is closed. AHA will provide notice through a variety of media outlets when it reopens. To learn more contact Charlotte Bowen at 334-821-2262 ext. 224 or by e-mail at cbowen@auburnhousingauth.org.
Resident Notice
The Roanoke Housing Authority's (RHA) mission is to provide safe, decent, and affordable housing for families. RHA must comply with the Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) regulations and RHA's internal policies and procedures. RHA encourages families to comply with the following requirements to maintain their housing assistance.
a. Comply with your annual recertification requirements and submit the requested information by the deadline.
b. Report all changes in income and household composition.
c. Comply with your public housing dwelling lease.
d. Comply with all written requests and forward the requested information by the deadline.
Not complying with the requirements above may result in the termination of your assistance or eviction. The list above is not all-inclusive. If you have questions about your public housing assistance, please contact Beth Redding, Property Manager l (334) 863-4513.
Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH)
The VASH program combines HUD's Housing Choice Voucher rental assistance for homeless Veterans with case management and clinical services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). VA provides these services for participating Veterans at VA medical centers (VAMCs), community-based outreach clinics (CBOCs), through VA contractors, or through other VA designated entities. If you are a Veteran and wish to utilize the VASH voucher, please contact the Central Alabama Health Care System (CAVHCS) at 334-727-0550 or 800-214-8387.
Mainstream Vouchers
Mainstream Vouchers assist households that include a non-elderly person(s) with a disability. This is defined as any family that includes a person with a disability who is at least 18 years old and not yet 62 years old at the effective date of the initial Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) Contract. Aside from serving a special population, Mainstream Vouchers are administered using the same rules as other Housing Choice Vouchers. AHA's Mainstream Voucher waiting list is currently closed; however, HCV will open the waiting list for Mainstream Vouchers on May 15, 2023, and accept the first 100 qualifying applicants.
Foster Youth to Independence Initiative (FYI)
HUD's FYI targets housing assistance to young people aging out of foster care and who are at extreme risk of experiencing homelessness. The initiative offers housing vouchers to local public housing authorities to prevent or end homelessness among young adults under the age of 25 who are, or have recently left, the foster care system without a home to go to. Eligible applicants must be referred to AHA by the Alabama Department of Human Resources. If you are a foster youth that is about to age out of foster care and wish to utilize the FYI voucher, please contact the Alabama Department of Human Resources at (334) 242-1310.
Roanoke Rising Summer 2023 - Resident Corner
Surveillance Cameras
As you may have noticed, surveillance cameras have been installed at all sites. There are plans to add more cameras in the near future. In addition, some residents have expressed concern that there is not enough lighting. Property Management has been working with Alabama Power to add and/or upgrade lighting at all sites. You may see Alabama Power personnel working at your site in the coming months as the installation process begins.
If you have questions, contact Laura Squiers, Multifamily Housing Director, at (334) 821-2262 ext. 243 or lsquiers@auburnhousingauth.org.
Rental Insurance
Residents are encouraged to obtain rental insurance. Rental insurance helps to protect your belongings after a covered loss.
Smoking Policy
Smoking is NOT permitted inside the unit. See the Smoke-Free Policy that's included as an addendum to your lease for more information.
Rent Payment
Beginning December 29, 2022, ALL locations will stop taking rent at 4:30 p.m. on the last business day of each month.
Internet Service
The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) Program provides a discount of up to $30 per month for broadband services for eligible consumers. Consumers who live on qualifying Tribal lands can receive enhanced support of up to $75 per month toward broadband services.
Additionally, the program provides a one-time device discount of up to $100 for a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet purchased through a participating provider. The one-time discount requires a consumer co-payment of more than $10 and less than $50.
Note: The Affordable Connectivity Program began accepting consumer applications and enrollments on December 31, 2021. To apply, visit affordableconnectivity.gov
Roanoke Rising Summer 2023 - More Resident Corner
Pet Policy
RHA's Pet Policy is included within the Lease Addendum signed by all Residents. By signing, residents agreed to report all pets and pay deposits and applicable fees. Per the lease, RHA residents agree to:
"Not keep or allow dogs, cats, or any other animals or pets on the premises without the prior written consent of the Landlord and in accordance with the Landlord's Pet Policy. Residents are only allowed to keep common household pets in their units subject to the execution of the pet policy of the Landlord and proper execution of the Lease addendum for pets. Resident agrees to comply with the Pet Policy. Violation of the pet rules, as outlined in the lease addendum, will be grounds for removal of the pet, fines, termination of pet owner's tenancy, or both. Violation of this Paragraph shall be considered a serious violation of this lease;."
If you have a pet and have not notified the property manager, do so immediately. Failure to comply can lead to financial penalties and/or eviction. To request a copy or questions concerning the RHA's Pet Policy, contact Beth Redding via phone at 334-863-4513 or via e-mail at bredding@auburnhousingauth.org.
Maintenance
For the safety of our residents and maintenance staff, effective immediately, residents will not be allowed in the vicinity of our maintenance staff while they are performing maintenance repairs inside of RHA units. Residents will be required to go into another room until all maintenance issues have been addressed.
An emergency work order will be completed within twenty-four (24) hours. If a situation is determined to not be an emergency, the resident will be informed that the request will be considered as "any other resident work order request." Normal work orders will be resolved within 3 business days. Emergency Work Orders are when the situation constitutes a serious threat to the life, safety, or health of resident(s) or staff, or the situation will cause serious damage to the property, property structure, or systems if not repaired within twenty-four (24) hours.
Examples of a work order emergency are:
-Broken exterior door lock
-Fire
-Loss of power - mechanical failure
-Broken water line
-Loose or falling ceiling
-No Heat (when the outside temperature is less than 35 degrees)Please call to request a work order:
Greg Moore
Regional Maintenance Manager
Phone: (334) 821-2262 ext. 262For Police and Fire Emergencies, dial 911
Policy Reminder
RHA is committed to providing all residents with safe, decent, and sanitary housing and ensuring that all residents have the right to peaceful enjoyment of their apartment. As a part of this commitment, RHA has implemented weekly property assessments. As a result, RHA requests residents' assistance in addressing frequent issues observed. (Please note that all residents agree to abide by this policy upon signing a lease, failure to do so can lead to fines and eviction.)
1. No parking on or driving across the grass is permitted at any time.
2. Before bringing a pet and/or service animal home, you must contact RHA's office. RHA has no pet visitation policy.
3. All smoke detectors inside the home must be operable. Residents should contact the office to request batteries for all beeping smoke detectors. Smoke detectors should not be tampered with, removed, disconnected, or covered.Contact RHA Property Manager Beth Redding via phone at 334-869-8863 or by e-mail at bredding@auburnhousingauth.org.
Exterior and Groundskeeping
RHA is committed to providing an attractive environment for all our communities. Residents, please be reminded that:
1. All garbage and debris must be disposed of in the City of Roanoke assigned garbage carts. No trash should accumulate on the grounds or porch of the apartment.
2. All garbage carts must be stored appropriately at the rear of my apartment. Garbage carts are allowed on the street the night before the scheduled pickup and returned to storage the next day.
3. All child(ren)/guests; conduct must be controlled to prevent damage to the interior and exterior of the apartment.
4. Roofs must be free of litter, sticks, and other debris.
5. Do not accumulate items on the porch, yard, or any other property premises.
6. Inoperable vehicles are not allowed in parking areas, sidewalks, or grass.
7. All bicycles and toys must be stored appropriately and not scattered around the yard.
8. All large items (sofas, mattresses, etc.) must not be on the curb earlier than one day before the scheduled City of Roanoke garbage pickup.
Roanoke Rising Summer 2023 - Collection Policy
POLICY ALERT
Collection Policy
(Excerpt)
I. RENT DUE DATE: Rent and service fees are due on the first (1st) of each month. No partial payments will be accepted on or after the rent due date.
II. LATE FEE CHARGED: If rent and service fees are not received by 5:00 p.m. on the sixth (6th) of the month, a "late fee" in accordance with the Board approved posted current late fee charge will be added to your account.
III. Residents who fail to pay their rent or make arrangements to resolve balances by 5:00 p.m. on the sixth (6th) will be sent a "LEASE TERMINATION NOTICE."
IV. Residents requesting a hardship must request the hardship prior to being considered late. Hardships will not be granted on requests made after the last day to pay on time unless a verifiable emergency exists.
V. Residents who are still residing in the apartment after the lease termination notice has expired will be issued eviction papers.
VI. If a resident moves out of a dwelling unit owing the Housing Authority for back rent, repairs, and/or other expenses, he or she should arrange for the debt to be paid or face possible court action.
VII. Residents who are late with their rent (have not paid rent on or before the 6th of the month), 3 times in a calendar year will receive a "LEASE TERMINATION NOTICE": Non-Curable.
Roanoke Rising Summer 2023 - Back Cover
Mainstream Voucher Waiting List is Open!
- Mainstream Vouchers are for households with a non-elderly disabled person.
- This is defined as any family that includes a person with a disability who is at least 18 years old and not yet 62 years old.
We need your help to keep OUR communities clean!
Garbage cans
- Can be placed at the curb the night prior to pick up.
- Must be removed from the curb the evening after pick up and placed at the back of your unit.
- Fines could be imposed if cans are left by the curb on days that there is no garbage pick up.
Now that spring is here, we want to give you a few reminders from your lease.
- The Resident agrees only to use authorized grills and to use grills (including storage) in areas authorized by the HA. In no circumstances shall the grills be used under a porch/covering or within 10 feet of any overhang or housing authority building.
- The use of any swimming pools on the premises is prohibited.
- Playground equipment, including swings, slides, trampolines, basketball goals, etc., which is not HA approved and/or provided, is prohibited.