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North Adams Housing Authority Receives CHAP

By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff
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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Housing Authority has been given the OK to begin a Rental Assistance Demonstration conversion.
 
Housing Authority Executive Director Jennifer Hohn released a letter from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development received last week notifying the authority.
 
"North Adams Housing Authority is excited to receive our award letter from the Department of Housing and Urban Development for a 'Commitment to Enter into Housing Assistance Payments,' " Hohn said. 
 
Rental Assistance Demonstration, or RAD, allows HUD housing authorities to move their units to the Section 8 platform and to leverage debt and equity for re-investment without affecting tenant rights and rents, or housing authority control.
 
"The Rental Assistance Demonstration will enable NAHA to preserve its public housing stock utilizing a more sustainable future funding source," Hohn said. "Additionally, it will allow access to other financial resources in order to make necessary improvements to properties and also perform upgrades which will enhance residents' quality of life and increase the overall attractiveness of NAHA's developments."
 
The 304 units within Greylock Valley in the West End, Riverview on Lincoln Street, and Ashland Street Apartments will be moved to the project-based voucher assistance platform.
 
The North Adams Housing Authority has been on a waiting list for some time now. This was extended because of the government shutdown earlier this year.
 
The Housing Authority Commission did take some action toward the program in February and voted to hire Dominion, a company specializing in housing and health care facilities, to conduct a physical needs assessment, which is a requirement of RAD.
 
The letter stated that the Housing Authority must now meet CHAP Milestones and deadlines.
 
Hohn said she anticipates the conversion will be complete by next year. 
 
"NAHA will continue to maintain an open dialogue with the residents during this process," she said. "We are hopeful that the conversion will be completed by summer 2020."

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NAHA Board Accepts Director's Resignation, Unlocks Tenants Association Office

By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The North Adams Housing Authority Board of Commissioners officially accepted the resignation of Executive Director Jennifer Hohn and restored access to the Tenants Association office.

The board held a special meeting Thursday to vote to accept Hohn's resignation and determined that there are currently no plans to replace her.

"We didn't make any final determinations in terms of the executive session so we will schedule another meeting at another time," Chairwoman Leigh Uqdah said after returning from more than an hour session. "Day-to-day operations will continue to be managed as normal by staff."

Per their bylaws, board member Marie Harpin will continue to handle finances, and Uqdah will manage contracts.

Hohn stepped down on Oct. 8 after 24 years leading the agency. Her resignation followed rising tension between her and the NAHA Tenants Association, culminating in the scheduling of a formal grievance hearing between both parties.

The boiling point was the locking of the association's office this summer. Tenants alleged the lockout was retaliation for posting a video on social media depicting improperly functioning door alarms. Hohn claimed the office was locked for tenant safety and to stop the spread of misinformation.

Tenants Association President Corey Fortin asked if Hohn's security access had been removed. Uqdah confirmed her credentials were revoked the day she resigned, meaning she can no longer monitor security cameras remotely.

Jennifer Barbeau, a former city councilor who was liaison to the Housing Authority, asked when the board met to discuss Hohn's severance package. Uqdah stated that Hohn did not have one.

The board also accepted the resignation of Commissioner Richard Lavigne, though they will vote officially on the matter at their next meeting.

The open portion of the meeting was brief, with nearly an hour and a half spent in executive session. Before entering executive session, the board opened the floor to tenants.

"The tenants requested an opportunity to talk to the board," said Uqdah. "It has been quite a while, but we have decided to honor that."

Fortin, who posted the original video to social media, was the first to speak. He was clear in his request: unlock the office door.

"Let's cut straight to the chase tonight. The former resigned Director Jennifer Hohn ordered the office locked," he alleged. "She is gone. The lockout is a direct violation, and the board has a duty to end that tonight."

He cited federal and state laws that mandate the tenants association be provided with office space, including computer and network access.

"We are here with a direct administrative demand. We demand that the board vote tonight to unlock the doors," he said. "Do not let a resigned director's illegal action remain the board's ongoing liability. Open our door tonight, and let us get back to work."

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