"HCV Residents Has No Voice" The affects of low-income, disabled and seniors.

I received a letter from HOC ( May 11, 2013) regarding to the HCV cuts due to the sequester that affects the residents under the program quality of life. My first thing, I thought was, "Why HOC didn't meet with the residents", before these cuts, to discuss the affects of the future. Over the weekend, when I received the letter in the mail concerning these cuts and I thought to myself, "Why is it so hard for the HOC staff to communicate with the residents"? When I was a former Commissioner, I made sure that any changes occurs concerning the residents, they would have the opportunity to interact with the decision making process before there was any cuts that may affect their quality of life. In Montgomery County HCV residents are defiantly treated as second class citizens, this is a good example, sending a letter of housing cuts and stating, "contact your Specialist", plain and simple, "How nice"! I thought to myself how would they like it if they were sent a letter, "You have no job"! I guess nothing affects them while they went home in their bed and slept all night with a good and clear conscience. There is a major disconnect here...... residents and  HOC executive staff and Commissioners, no interactions or no sort of connections. 

The letter that the CEO wrote is like he has personality "cold, disconnect and distance." Is this the third world country? The letter could have been written with some dignity or care, one paragraph that stands out to impose a threat, "If you don't report your income may result the termination of the program"! In the same letter about cuts and lthen a threat, very nicely done, Where is your heart? "The Commissioners hired him that they appreciate and support this kind of  personality? It's proven that the Commissioners support this rhetoric or philosophy while they benefit with their perks, I wonder did cuts effect the  Commissioner's perks? Trips, etc. Did any HOC Executives take a pay cut? Of course not, when they initiated this meeting, they didn't contact any residents because this would be a topic of discussion, "What about your pay cuts"! The only time there is any conversation or interactions with the residents and HOC staff is during the annual plan because it is mandated by HUD other than that I believe we are just a paycheck to them.

I certainly understand there has been a problem in Montgomery County with HCV residents over the years that involves segregation, living in quality areas and landlords accepting vouchers. When it comes to people lifes, HOC believes that the residents don't need an explanation because we receive rental assistance, "Shut Up" and if you loose your home, Oh well! I believe they slept good at night with no worry about do you have to move or how you going to get money to move. I went to HOC this week and didn't know about the cuts because the letter didn't arrive to my home until over the weekend of May 11th. However, I witness low level employees packing up saying good- bye. Monday, I tried calling HOC but the phones was flooded that I couldn't get through; finally I was told there will be a town meeting. However, the woman who answer the phone was in distressed with the many of phone calls. I made another phone call and I was told that residents just have to move, that's it. A town meeting with angry residents after you decide to cut their voucher and loose their apartments? Added expenses to pay another security deposit and moving expenses? No explanation to anyone who is a  recipient under the program with no kind of dignity or respect that would affect our lives. The town meeting will be packed and overwhelmed that no one could get their question answered at all. What about the non-speaking English residents? Why a town meeting now?

Everyone understands about the cuts but how the process was initiated is the problem. The preparation could have been done with better quality even though you dealing with the low-income community. It's my belief because when it involves the low-income, seniors and disabled it is handled the way HOC intended, very heartless and cruel!

I called my caseworker this morning and discovered that she is terminated, now, "How am I going to get the information that was written by the CEO concerning the Voucher cuts? This is definitely a strong case of mis-communication that only affect the lives of the recipients! Maybe someone will call me back.

Residents HOC - I Understand the Intimidation

Don't allow anyone to make you feel that you are second class citizens because you get subsidy for housing assistance. You have a right to live in safe and decent housing. I understand the complaint process (with some of those who believes that they are better than you because their paycheck is a little higher..  Don't allow anyone to intimidate you? Don't get angry or show any emotions because they will try to provoke and say, "Those people are that way because they are under the program"! Trust me they act worst, I seen it myself they just wear the skirts, suit and ties and focusing only their paycheck. To be honest don't like the participants that they suppose to serve! They talk worst about us than the community does that's why we have to live in undesirable places and be treated with disrespect from abusive landlords. It's all about the federal funds, they have to deal with us in order to obtain it but they don't have a clue how to interact with us with dignity or respect.

I hear your silent oppression because you fear of their threats ( to take your voucher) as they use them to get you to silence your voices. "Understand this there is a higher power that sees everything that goes on." Some might say, That sounds crazy? But it's nothing wrong to believe in a higher power whomever you choose to call your higher power. However, some believe in evils and witchcraft's that's what's happening now as you can see the violence, corruption, etc., that surrounds us in this world. So who do you think really keeps us going?  Sorry, I went off topic but you have to be strong through the lies and deception.

It's human nature to lie to benefit for a purpose. Some lost their integrity or they have to feel superior against a certain class of individuals to keep them going, because they have no self-worth. Through their smiles you can see pain and unhappiness, therefore some of us have to tolerate with insecure people who holds their title as influence because without it they don't have any class. Sometimes, I sit and watch actually pray for these people lack of dignity. Some have to treat us this way because they have to keep their jobs and if you speak out you are a target!

I keep in contact with my former advocates and they give me courage as I advocate for myself from the lies and deception that was brought against me. You have to wonder how much money or gifts to suppress my legitimate case? How much justice was brought? How many favors was done to hide justice?    As they cover up the wrongs and try to use my financial circumstances against me to suppress my voice and to cover up an issue they don't want to deal with... which are tenants under the subsidy program. The issues and problems living is certain neighborhoods and how we can't live in other neighborhoods ; abusive landlords, crime and HQS issues, and certainly don't want tenants to independently meet with each other.  The State of Maryland is Democrat State and you think democracy however the issues with the relations with certain class of people and don't want tenants to interact, but target the federal monies for their purpose. I find it suspicious that landlord violates the HAP contract but when a tenant don't turn in $5.00 as part of their income they will act like you committed a crime!!!! Threaten you off the program as a common criminal.

HUD is in the business of housing the low-income why HOC in the business of threatening the vulnerable that they would loose their voucher when they speak about injustice? I received a letter by the Commissioners and their lawyer- The new CEO Stacey Spann. I complained to Fair Housing and HOC  lied to Fair Housing - Maryland Commission on Civil Rights as if they didn't send the letter. I understand why subsidized residents don't participate or now your rights in the program because what HOC have done to me, a person who served as a Housing Commissioner as well. They suppressed the vulnerable through threats while getting along with slumlords who profit off us. HOC don't have no idea how to interact with residents except to control.

The institutionalized inequality is rapid in Montgomery County and I find that it oppress the voiceless especially from those who are recipients on the program participants. If it won't for people like us they wouldn't have a job but that's not a reality. I advise you to carry a tape recorder and if you have to meet someone at HOC don't go by yourself. The stereotyping is so low against  subsidized residents therefore do not argue with them; this is what they expect. Let them talk have your phone recorder or tape recorder for your protection. Let them know you have one before they act. I had first hand experience about this situation and it's called self-control. They are going to provoke you at all cost because they lack honesty and dignity. They are like "bullies".

I met some people with some issues and witness a staff person yelling at resident. It was okay because the person is just a resident. I had to calm the resident down even though they had every right to address the situation. However, the staff uses our current situation against residents to make them look like the trouble maker ( based on income classification)- this is the usual stereotype about the residents under HOC. That employee still works there even-though they curse and acted totally out of order, however was ignored.

Where I lived at was known for my complaints. I never thought they would threaten me to take my voucher because my apartment failed HQS standards and my car vandalized.  The Commissioners has their own personal stake and it's hard for me to believe after I was a former Commissioner none of them reach out to me however the President sent me a letter to threaten to take my voucher! Watch my video at HOC is on youtube., I spoke about my living conditions they looked bored! I have a youtube video where I lived at Cinnamon Run Apartments that you can view, also.

What is the Commissioners background and connections????? They are on the board longer than the President of the United States, "Does this violate public trust?" I am sure there is a reason why they aren't tenant friendly or interact on the behalf of the tenants. The only reason they desire to deal with tenants is the federal money, perks and free trips. You don't see them visible in the community unless it's a personal benefit! What about the "Friends of HOC?" This are individuals who suppose to care about the residents however focus on the perks for being a friend? You have to wonder.. ummh..


Stay strong!!!