Slip-Sliding Away...

Reports of continued walking hazards, including icy walkways, concern several residents, especially those residents and guests with physical disabilities.

massresources.org defines private subsidized housing with the following text: Private subsidized housing is privately owned low-rent housing for low-income families, the elderly, and people with disabilities. Private subsidized housing developments are owned and operated by private owners, not the government. These owners receive money, called "subsidies," from the government to help pay rents, building costs, or other expenses. In return, they set aside some apartments for low and moderate-income households and charge low rents.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and MassHousing fund and regulate these programs. All private subsidized housing developments are owned and managed by private organizations. Some of these organizations are large for-profit housing developers, and some are small non-profit community development corporations (CDCs).

According to my housing experience at this privately-owned subsidized complex: In return for providing unsafe and substandard housing, corporate partnerships get rich and powerful through government funding while violating several state and federal laws. These owners selectively arrange tenant waiting lists to their liking, discreetly discriminate, contribute to the harassment of certain households, etc. etc. etc.

As Mr. William Connolly explained, "It's all about politics."

Deceptive Business Practices

(click on photo collage for large view.)

It appears agencies and corporate owners can't figure out the date of purchase, and who really purchased Rockland Place Apartments, I mean, Spring Gate. Their 'facts' are ever-changing. One paper reads the owner is Cornerstone, another lists Rockland Place Apts. LP, another First Hartford Corp., another states Connolly and Partners, LLP, while another document lists Boston Capital Tax Credit. Residents received certified mail stating the new ownership and management began on November 1, 2006. Mishaps and chaotic construction by 'new owners' began August 2006.

My usual ANNUAL recertification took place November 1, 2006. I was, again, ANNUALLY recertified in mid-March 2007, without a 90-day notice, as my November's recertification document promised I would be. Beginning May 2007, I paid their rent increase, for the increased amount that my 2nd ANNUAL recertification document stated. Sometime in late August, I received another stack of papers with a court date, falsely stating I owed an exhorbitant amount of rent. It wasn't the first time low-income residents have been deceptively overcharged higher than usual rents for this 204-unit subsidized housing complex. The outlined photos show different contract rent amounts for the same sized unit at Rockland Place Apts. dba Spring Gate. Discrepancies always favor these corporate landlords.

Residents are rarely provided legal or sufficient notice for repairs or renovations to be made. Personal property gets damaged by workers. Don't waste your time requesting a reasonable accommodation. While you wait for their answer, you'll get a court date instead. MassHousing continues to grant these corporate partnerships more rent increases while they're in non-compliance of laws and regulations. Residents are required to sign misdated and deceptive documents (1-sided leases, misdated and inaccurate recertifications, etc.). Corporate owners know they can threaten residents with eviction proceedings and, more often than not, residents will go along with the illegal and unfair situation(s). This is not only greedy, but clearly an abuse of power. It certainly isn't fair housing!

I've never found Spring Gate Apts. to be a 'welcoming environment', but I hear cockroaches and bedbugs are trying the place out. For me, Spring Gate Apts. was not a home; it was a noisy construction site with owners who have little regard for residents' quality of life -- But then again, I don't earn at least $25,000. annually, as owners required in a few Apartment Guide listings. Do they discriminate in the enforcement of their policies and procedures? Yes.

I really do think it's time the state of Massachusetts and our federal government stepped in and did a thorough and impartial investigation for fraud, discrimination, and deceptive business practices which has been, and still is, costly in several ways to innocent and vulnerable taxpayers.

You can add your own text too.

Spring Gate: The Unwelcoming Environment

Not only does this corporate landlord over bill for subsidized rents, workers recently cut cable lines to residents' apartments without notice. This interferes with phones, internet and televisions. Workers enter apartments with insufficient notice too. Rent payers are also ordered from their units for some of the unnecessary renovations. Residents at Rockland Place Apts. dba Spring Gate continue to live in chaos while Landlords breach their warranty of habitability and make a larger profit in rents for 2007. Is this what Mr. William M. Connolly meant when he promised Board of Selectman he would turn Rockland Place into an asset? I would think these terrible conditions would warrant displacement funds for residents needing a safe, decent place to live.

More Discoveries

* SEC Info - Boston Capital Real Estate Investment Trust Inc -POS AM-On 4/2/07-EX-99

* amNewYork (outside news): Meritless Lawsuit?

In Summary...

How does Rockland Place Apartments Limited Partnership and Connolly & Partners LLC accommodate residents with disabilities? They don't.

Ask for a reasonable accommodation for a specific disability and they will use their knowledge of that particular disability to harass you from your subsidized unit; therefore, deliberately denying you access to a state and/or federal program.

Fairytales, Falsehoods, and Fibs from the Crib

During several meetings, 'new owners' promised to keep tenants 'informed every step of the way' during renovations. They even promised to provide residents with the option of storage, trucks, and/or renovated units during this difficult time.

Residents asked 'new' landlords what plans they had to rid the complex of drug dealers. Mr. Joe Caffey insisted 'drug dealers would see they had a new sheriff in Town and just leave'. Tenants were told security cameras would be installed in common areas and a police substation would exist on the property.

Included in these fairytales was the promise of a new handicapped-accessible shuttle to and from the Abington Commuter Rail and Super Stop & Shop at least a couple of times per week. However, since the official takeover of 11-1-2006, residents of Spring Gate have only recently been invited to share use of a free school bus with senior citizens in another complex. It only travels on Thursdays from 9am and returns by 10:20am. This old school bus is not even handicapped-accessible.

Time and time again, residents were promised that our apartments would be 'affordable into perpetuity' by Mr. Joe Armstrong and staff of the 'new' Rockland Place Apartment complex, dba Spring Gate. Meanwhile, MassHousing continued approving rent increases while Management is, and has been, in non-compliance of subsidy programs. Recently, I received a notice ordering me to pay more than 30% of my income while on the HUD section 236 program. Corporate landlord claimed I should pay them an amount above and beyond what I receive each month. 'Affordable into perpetuity?' ..... I think not.

With a MassHousing representative present, I again requested landlord comply with Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 186 in regard to obtaining property insurance information. I reminded executives that I've provided numerous written requests over several years, and have not yet received this information. Mr. Armstrong promised he would get this to us very shortly. Four months later, residents are still waiting.

Insufficient Notice of Entry

This is how Management disregards my written request for reasonable accommodation even after being contacted by Fair Housing Center of Greater Boston: (click on images to enlarge)

Thursday afternoon August 30, 2007, I received a notice from this property mgr. that workmen will need full access to my apartment 'Starting Tuesday 9-4-07 from 8am-4pm'. No one showed. No one called.

On Wednesday 9-5-07, I was startled from a sleep by an unfamiliar workman inside my living room after he ripped open the locked patio door. Is this what 'having the right to feel secure' inside your home means? I called Management to ask her about this situation. She claimed she gave me sufficient notice. Really? And how long does 'STARTING TUESDAY' last for?

On Thursday and Friday, instead of finishing up the work they started, workmen worked on other uncompleted buildings. Residents have been seriously inconvenienced and unexpectedly disturbed with noise, interference, and inaccurate notice of work schedules.

Without notice, Saturday 9-8-07, I was awakened by loud hammering and drilling outside my third floor bedroom window. I looked out to see a workman raising a hammer toward my window and walls. Again, no notice. It sure would be nice if leases and laws for tenants were enforced on these HUD/Mass Housing properties.

Even with all the overtime, the windows and patio doors still aren't complete. Neither are the common areas. It is a hazardous and stressful place to have to live. Let's reward these corporate landlords with another rent increase for being in constant violation of occupancy agreements.

Management's convenient misdates and miscalculations reminds me of a suspicious building fire in July 2001, when damaged apartment doors were shown to an insurance adjuster. By now, all hatchet-damaged doors should have been replaced. Perhaps door installers weren't able to gain access to vacated units?

And, where are all the handicapped people for all those newly-renovated handicapped units?

And, where is the answer to my request for reasonable accommodation? Is it in Management's 'STARTING Tuesday' notice? Perhaps their response to my request is in the Summary Process for Eviction?

Spring Gate's renovated dumpster area.

Malice Palace

Calculating Corporate, Subsidized Landlord Misdates and Miscalculates

Rockland Place Apts. LP dba Spring Gate landlords-agents, demand I not correct their fraudulent documents before signing them. This way, owners may get more undeserved, low-income housing tax credits (LIHTC) from the IRS. While 'new' owners receive millions in government grants, tenants at this subsidized housing complex are unjustly threatened with eviction and loss of subsidies. Overcharges have occurred.

Mid-March 2007, I was told to sign a misdated and false document regarding how much I paid for rent 2-months out of the year. When I corrected dates to coincide with rent figures, management refused to accept the signed documents and told me they would remove my subsidy if I didn't sign them 'as is'. When I asked for further explanation, I was told to leave their office.

These unusual circumstances forced me to fax the corrected and signed recertification papers to HUD and MassHousing. I never received documentation from HUD or MassHousing removing the subsidy; so continued paying the appropriate rent. Eviction proceedings were filed in August 2007, by substandard, subsidized property attorney, Stephen M. Scolnick, with false accusations of rent owed.

It appears these abusive corporate partners attempt to extort money by falsifying documents. They certainly don't hesitate to misuse their powerful connections and positions to harass and intimidate vulnerable tenants. Owners/Mgmt. have not answered some written requests for Reasonable Accommodation, which is also in violation of the Fair Housing Act. I was supposed to get to housing court 9-4-07 to file an answer to their false charges; however, we were notified workers would need access to our units from 8am-4pm throughout the day. So I never made court and workers never showed up. Mgmt. didn't even call to let us know about it. It's not the first time something like this has happened. These convenient 'mishaps' and 'miscalculations' work to benefit this corporate landlord/partnership.

MHFA or MassHousing keeps awarding these corporations and partnerships more rent increases while they violate tenants' rights, and are in non-compliance with laws and regulations of the state and federal subsidy programs. HUD refuses to get involved and continues passing letters and calls to MassHousing. Under the Freedom of Information Act, see HUD REAC scores for this property, and Hotline Case # HL-06-0620. With substandard housing conditions forced upon tenants in poverty, these rich partnerships certainly don't deserve Low-Income Housing Tax Credits by the IRS.

One of the 'new' corporate partners of Rockland Place Apts. owns the management company, and the construction company hired to do some of the shoddy construction work and low-quality paint jobs. Roofing work caused ceiling leakage and need for re-repair -- And the holey hot hallways are simply gorgeous too! Just don't accidentally hang yourself from all the exposed wires.

After paying larger rent increases, purchasing more aspirin, and stuffing our ears with plugs, low-income tenants have been required to leave their rented units for 2-3 days to experience unreimbursed personal property damage by negligent workers during 'renovations'. True justice is rarely available for U.S. citizens unable to afford it.

Some of the landlords' affiliated companies have previously been charged with fraud, diverting funds, etc. amounting to millions of dollars in financial crimes against our government... So why does HUD continue to do business with unethical people and corporations? And, why all the corporate name games? For more information, read the article 'Diversions Unlimited' - http://boston.indymedia.org/feature/display/62621/index.php - Mr. Joe Armstrong, who is associated with the landlord, responded to the well-researched article with contempt for the author/tenant, and violated her personal information. Mr. Armstrong even suggested a tenant, who is legally disabled with a limited income, was in subsidized housing too long.

This information was obtained through research and personal experience.

Lines of Light

These lines of light were created with a slow shutter speed on a passing truck.

It would be helpful if main doors were secure and all common areas were better lit at night.

False promises of security

This small fire was set along the curbside in front of bldg. 141

Gas conversion is unsafe at this housing complex. Where is the safe, decent housing promised?

Birdbrained Landings

Trying to Keep Track

Residents have been told by management and owners:
1. 'Rockland Place Apartments' is now doing business as 'Spring Gate'.
2. 'Cornerstone Corp.' is no longer involved with this housing complex.
3. Some of the office staff from 'Cornerstone Corp.' are now employed with 'First Hartford Realty Management Corp'.
4. 'First Hartford Realty Corp.' manages this 204-unit subsidized residential complex.
5. Connolly & Partners, LLC is the new owner of this property, along with Rockland Place Apartments Limited Partnership.

Also of interest:
a. After November 1, 2006, official documents listed Cornerstone Corp., Hannah Way Limited Partnership, and Rockland Place Apartments L.P. as owners.
b. Construction work began in September 2006.
c. Without any notice, my name was suddenly removed from the section 8 voucher waiting list, which makes it impossible for me to find an affordable and decent place to reside.
d. Low-income residents are in need of good legal representation to prevent frivolous eviction preceedings and/or homelessness for exercising rights.
e. The previous attorney for the previous landlord, also represents the new landlord(s). I noticed his name on the March 2007 letter of eviction, after I corrected management's misdated documents.
f. A close relative of the previous management is listed as an agent for the new owners. For some reason, I thought this was a 'conflict of interest' in the sale of this subsidized property, but I'm told it's not a conflict of interest.... Oh well, that shows how much I know.

Rent Increase Meeting

Wednesday, 5-23-07, a meeting was held to discuss another request by corporate landlord(s) to raise rents again. Without seeing receipts, residents have no way of knowing the accuracy of those figures provided on the budget sheet. However inprecise their listed expenses may or may not be, the added figures listed in some columns don't appear to coincide.

Considering the high and long standing vacancy rate, lease violations, poor or unsafe living conditions, waste and abuse, false promises made for last year's granted rent increase, personal property damages, time and labor with other inconveniences suffered by residents, unfair housing according to fair housing laws, etc. , granting another rent increase would be unreasonable and unfair.

Not many residents attended the meeting on May 23, 2007. The notice incorrectly stated the management office is still located at 30 Martha Drive, instead of 52 Hannah Way.

Housing Hazards

Quality Housing Needed

Living conditions are chaotic. Residents can not plan their lives under these unpredictable conditions. Conditions are not in compliance with lease agreements and laws. Water has been turned off without 24-hour notice. Tenants are provided little accommodation, if any. Personal property has been damaged during poorly-planned renovations. Shoddy roof repairs first began in September 2006 and caused many residents to suffer ceiling leaks and more careless inconveniences. Landlord(s) still refuse to provide residents with property insurance information, according to Massachusetts General Laws and according to a written statement made to MassHousing during their last increase of rents. Promises have not been kept.

This is not a 'welcoming environment'. Home life is extremely stressful here. Residents living in poverty need better alternatives for housing. They don't need to be unexpectedly and unknowingly removed from section 8 voucher waiting lists while receiving frivolous letters of eviction for reporting violations or correcting dates on numerous misdated documents. This situation is more than inconsiderate and abusive to people who pay rent!

Valves Installed under Platform in Halls

This blue tank was installed in several hallways in wooden structured buildings. Some are very noisy and add intense heat to the hallways.
New corporate partners added these tanks, valves, and numerous pipes throughout the hallways and sealed up the mess behind the ceilings and walls.

(Several valve photos and other photos depicting violations mysteriously vanished from this blog.)