Housing Authority of Dry Ridge
November- December 2015
Executive Directors Report
Lease
As you know, our lease here is very vague. In order to maintain the property and have control, we need an amended lease. I have a copy of Williamstown’s and also a copy of one from another county.
Late Fee
Typically, the late fee is assessed on a certain day and tenants receive a letter giving them so many days to pay. The current policy, allows tenants thirty (30) days to pay their rent after the late fee is charged. This allows them a total of forty-one (41) days to pay rent. I propose giving seven (7) days after your late fee is charged. Currently, tenants have a ten (10) day grace period. By changing our policy, rent would still be due on the first. Tenants would have through the 10th to pay rent. On the 11th, they would be charged the $20.00 late fee and given seven (7) days to pay the balance in full.
Chain of Command
Because the Board of Commissioners is not involved in day to day operations, it is very difficult for you to keep up with changes received on a daily basis from HUD. As your Executive Director, I am in charge of housing. It is my job to comply with HUD and follow the housing policies here at the Housing Authority. It is also my job to set the procedures we use in order to comply with the HA policies. When someone has a complaint with the HA, they need to be directed to me or HUD, as I set the procedures. If they have a complaint with me personally, it is to be handled by the board. I hope we can begin to have some order which ultimately will lessen the load on the Commissioners.
Vacancies/Maintenance
We have move-ins occurring this week. Three of our two bedroom units have been completed and Chris will start the three bedrooms this week. He and Larry buffed all of the floors in the units so far as well as repairs. Chris is contracted at $12.00 per hour (HUD maintenance wage rate) at a maximum of thirty (30) hours per week until the vacant units are move-in ready.
Pet Policy
Because I am unable to locate a current policy on pets, I would like to discuss this with the Board. Currently, Barb has not allowed pets. Based on the policy set in the past, pets are allowed with a $200.00 pet deposit, there is only one pet per person, and all pets must be on a leash. Based on this policy, the loose cats need to be removed from the property.