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.