Letter Stirs Up Housing Authority; Flat Rent To Go Up
The HHA Board of Commissioners voted to increase the flat rent. The legal notice about this, had some worried they were being evicted.
Last week, the residents in the Hoboken Housing Authority who pay "flat rent" received a letter stating that rent would go up starting Sept. 1, 2010.
But, the notice and the way it was written, had some worried they were being evicted from their apartments. The notice was riddled with legal jargon and sent to the residents by HHA Board Attorney Charlie Daglian.
Most HHA residents' rent is 30 percent of their income. Flat rent, a measure that is optional, caps that number at a flat rate, for those whose incomes might have gone up, and prefer to pay less than 30 percent.
"Please take notice that on September 1, 2010, you are to quit and vacate the premises now occupied by you as a tenant," the July 21 letter stated. "And demand is hereby made that you deliver up the peaceable possession thereof to me on that date, as of which date your present tenancy is hereby terminated."
The letter continued to read that if the resident wanted to stay in their apartment, they have to pay the new rent starting Sept. 1, 2010.
"When I saw this, I thought I was being evicted," said one 49-year-old resident, who wished to remain anonymous. "Everybody is upset with this letter."
"Nobody's being kicked out," said Housing Authority Commissioner Jake Stuiver, the letter is simply a notification of the flat rent increase. But, he said, the HHA commissioners should have explained that better to the residents.
The decision to increase the flat rent, Housing Authority officials said, came after an annual audit by the Department of Housing and Development. The topic was first brought up at the HHA meeting in June, and approved by the board during the July meeting.
Executive Director of the HHA Carmelo Garcia said the audit found that the HHA has been under-collecting flat rent. Flat rent has not gone up since 2006. The new flat rent rate has been decided by the finance committee of the HHA Board.
Marianne Camporeale, the HHA's newest commissioner, said that the "scary letter" was written in "lawyer terms." Camporeale, 76, lives in Fox Hill Gardens and said she found—and calmed down— an 82-year-old woman in tears after reading the letter. "It should have had a cover letter," Camporeale said.
HHA Executive Director Carmelo Garcia said on Wednesday evening that he mailed a letter explaining the change to the residents.
Out of the 1350 families that live in the HHA, roughly 170 are paying flat rent, Garcia said. Garcia said that he did not know the lawyer's letter would read the way it did.
The flat rent will be increased incrementally over the next coming years, said Garcia. As of Sept. 1, a one bedroom in the HHA will cost $800 a month (up from $675), a two-bedroom will cost $850 (up from $725), a three-bedroom will cost $900 (up from $780), a four-bedroom $950 (up from $835) and a five-bedroom will be $1,000 (up from $875).
The flat rent will increase with $100 in 2011 and 2012, said Garcia. The director added that these prices are still below the market rate in Hudson County.
Garcia gave an example of some families whose incomes have gone up while living in the Housing Authority (he cited one example of a family in a two-bedroom that makes $90,000 annually), but are only paying about 15 percent of their incomes, while most people in the HHA are paying 30 percent.
Garcia said also that the flat rent increase can start on Sept. 1, regardless of what date a resident's lease is up, because the flat rent contract overrides the lease agreement.
The residents are mostly upset with the lack of explanation from HHA officials.
"I don't mind paying the $900," said the 49-year-old resident, who has been living in the HHA for 25 years. "But, it's the way they write the letter."
concerned
8:45 am on Friday, July 30, 2010
The letter was shocking to many of us working families. We are use to the $100.00 increase but this years letter wasn't put very nicely I myself got upset and it effected my health. I always have my rent paid on time. given only 2 months to budget again is hard since not everyone makes a large income,and is barely making it...Wow to hear that a tenant makes $90,000 a year, and paying 15% of income. what is that all about? so why is every one else who opts to pay out of the flat rate have to pay 30% ? confusing..
tburns
11:41 am on Tuesday, August 3, 2010
The flat rate, which is optional, is only better for those families making in excess of $32,000 per year. Anyone else is better off paying 30% of their income because it is less than $800 per month.
The flat rate is better for families making more money. Many have used their savings to move to other places. But some people stay because the HHA is where friends and familes live - for all of the problems - the projects is one of the last remaning neighborhoods in Hoboken where people have lived for more than one generation.
If the family making $90k had to pay 30% - their rent would be $2,250 per month. At the flat rate they are paying substantially less. The flat rate SHOULD have been tied to the cost of living....and raised a little bit each year accordingly just like rent controlled units.
Looking at the big picture - where is there affordable housing for middle income families in Hoboken so that they can vacate their units in the housing authority and even CT and MVP to make room for new tenants? In one small mile the need for a diverse range of housing opportunities is KEY to providing a sustainable community. Is anyone in government listening?
Jackeline Rivera
4:06 pm on Monday, August 2, 2010
Why does it take so long for someone to move into a apt? My husband and I, both work very hard and have four children and are overcrowded in a three bedroom. Two of our children suffer from seizures and live in a high floor. We are still waiting patiently to transfer into a four bedroom and in a lower floor. We are concern about the time that it takes for those several four bedroom apts. to be renovated. I would really appreciate it if you could take this into consideration. Thank You!