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!!!

Communication with HOC

I had talked with Mrs. Hodges, Section 8 HCV manager regarding to the bill from the landlord of Cinnamon Run Apartments. They are charging me "extra" monies for profit gain, I believe. What I mean, during the eviction process after it was discovered he fabricated that I never breach my lease (acknowledge by HOC 6/11/12 letter), the landlord failed to honor 24 CFR 982.455, 310 process of the HAP contract (these are the federal mandates of HCV residents rules and regulations). However, I was told to go to the Landlord and Tenant Affairs in Montgomery County regarding to the HCV program in regards to the HAP contract, subsidy payments, rules and regulations. Landlord and Tenant Affairs is a local jurisdiction, "Why HOC don't advocate for the residents?" HOC is trained and govern by federal rules and regulations of the HCV program not Landlord and Tenant Affairs in Montgomery County. They don't honor federal HCV subsidized program rules or regulations. In addition, any tenants that is under HOC : 24 CFR 964, self-sufficiency program, HQS, tenancy agreement, etc. I went by the federal rules because I am a federal subsidized resident, I am punished for following the HAP contract/ federal rules that govern the HCV program ; which the State of Maryland laws is in conflict. HCV program is govern under 24 CFR 982, which is under those federal guidelines. The Maryland State and local law is preempted by the federal law; this is an conflict with HCV program participants who votes for the Section 8 administrative plan that governs HCV tenancy and the whole HCV program, self sufficiency, etc. There is some unlawful acts and it's not the tenants.

The HCV resident participates in the 5 year, 1 year annual plan and the Section 8 admen plan under HUD regulations. We residents (HCV) votes on the rules and regulations - for instance the eviction process, maintenance issues, self-sufficiency programs, HCV program, etc., please review link: HOC Resident Advisory Board that governs the program. The Section 8 HVC program participant is under the HAP contract which HOC and landlord makes an agreement on the behalf of the family. This includes HQS, rent payments and etc., however,I was directed to go to Landlord and Tenant Affairs  in Montgomery County to seek justice under the local law when I am under the federal subsidy program as a participant. Where do landlord and tenant affairs comes into this HAP contract or agreement. Confusing, Yes!

Why HCV residents vote on HUD (HOC) initiatives and regulations on the annual plan? Why those rules are followed? Why the State of Maryland suppressing HCV participants rights and not honoring the federal regulations? HCV suppose to be govern by the Section 8 amend plan? What is the hidden agenda? Why HOC don't support independent tenant unions and why have one RAB for over thousands of residents when there is no way of communicating, technical support or resources to reach all the residents. They just want control instead of allowing the tenants to meet democratically without HOC. They think HVC residents don't have the capacity to meet on their own without their influence, Oppression? What is the fear in bringing tenants together in Montgomery County? Subsidized residents is govern by federal mandates and those rules are ignored in the State of Maryland. However, the rules are written on paper (for HUD compliance  however not enforceable) just to receive funds from HUD as if HOC is abiding to the rules. Who is accountable to this failure of interacting with the residents properly? I mean without suppression!

HCV participants receives subsidy under the federal government and the local government takes jurisdiction (not honoring federal program laws) and  HOC doesn't handle tenants complaints. My apartment failed inspection and lived under the conditions for almost a year, yet, HOC paid the landlord for violating the HQS standards. Now the landlord desires to request more money, which HOC acknowledges, even though I followed the program rules. The owner hasn't abide by the rules however trying to make a profit ( I believe) from me (as a working and low-income HCV resident). I am not understanding how this works and how the federal government is truly monitoring the HCV program in Montgomery County to ensure that the program participants are treated fairly, monitoring the financial administration is accurate and the landlords isn't making extra profit off subsidized residents (charging extra rent, living in unsafe and intolerable conditions). The landlord and tenant affairs of Montgomery County isn't trained to deal with federal subsidized residents issues without acknowledging the federal mandates of the program?  Also, the HCV is govern under the federal regulations how state and local laws supersede the tenancy agreement?  If that was accurate why there is not independent tenant association in Montgomery County? Is this the suppressing the rights of subsidized residents to local and State conflicting laws that don't govern the HCV program or the HAP contract?

My experience, "Why HOC is mad or try intimidate residents when they ask a question and why they don't have a workshops to educate residents under the HCV program of their rights or what rules that suppose to govern these residents?" The processes of executing State and local rules to govern the HCV program with the exception of HUD rules is causing a hardship to residents, intimidation, oppression and promoting homelessness which is against HUD's mission statement.

HOC states the HAP contract is between the owner and landlord, my issue how the HAP contract has anything to do with the landlord and tenant affairs office in Montgomery County? How do the landlord and tenant affairs can interfere with the HAP contract? Please review link: 24 CFR 982.456. Contract between owner and PHA (HOC) on the behalf of the family (HCV) participants
Very confusing! Now a HCV participants has to wonder if they are targeted for misrepresentation of program rules or treated impartial; regardless what the federal rules under the HCV program. Which law do we suppose to listen to local or state? We vote on the admend plan that provides us the process of our lease agreement, etc. However,  if you speak up you are a target for retaliation. I abide to the federal law 24 CFR 982.455, 310 however I was told to listen to the local law that don't govern the HCV program . Now everyone wants to step backwards and set me up as target practice by a landlord - who practices disparity and retaliation against residents who complains about their quality life issues. The landlord received his rent during the whole process violating the HQS, "Where was HOC? My apartment failed inspection. What do Landlord and Tenant Affairs has to do with the HCV program? I am the target because I spoke against the disparity treatment and the quality of life; now I am a target because I spoke against the injustice and suppression by HOC. HOC threatens me to take my voucher because I complain about unsafe conditions and my apartment failed inspection, I am not surprise this a happen. Don't find it hard to believe that the residents under the HVC program will experience retaliatory attacks. We pay their paycheck and make profit to the landlord however we are treated like second class citizens while everyone benefit in this program.Why do what is right?. Don't expect any integrity when it comes to dealing with the vulnerable or the working poor? They have "friends"  that support and financial benefit from this program . This philosophy of "oppression" against the HCV program participants. You have no voice!