EARMARKED APARTMENTS: Cornerstone Corporation, agent for First Hartford Realty Corp., Rockland Place dba Spring Gate Apts., conveniently sets up earmarked apartments for residents who deal drugs.
UNETHICAL PRACTICES: Cornerstone Corporation prefers residents who violate lease agreements. This common preference tends to keep Management's unethical and illegal practices silenced by the majority.
VIOLENCE IS IN THE AIR: People continue to be harassed and assaulted inside this newly renovated, subsidized housing complex. A thorough spring cleaning is long overdue.
Freedom can not ring in an oppressive society. This blog reflects thoughts, personal experiences, + several notes of interest on 'affordable' housing. What do you think of gov't financing nuisance properties? Rockland Place continues doing business as SPRING GATE APARTMENTS along Martha Drive + Hannah Way in Rockland, Mass. (shady business).
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Take Action Against Forced Arbitration
Did you know that six in 10 likely voters oppose arbitration and support the Arbitration Fairness Act? Forced arbitration is another example of how corporations are taking advantage of Americans. As a private system without an impartial judge or a jury, mandatory arbitration allows companies to play by their own rules and escape accountability when they harm employees and consumers, (including residents who speak out). Public Citizen has formed the Fair Arbitration Now Coalition to put an end to this injustice.
Take action today and say "No!" to forced arbitration. Click here and add your signature to help make a strong case for banning forced arbitration now.
And/or click here to Call your members of Congress.
Take action today and say "No!" to forced arbitration. Click here and add your signature to help make a strong case for banning forced arbitration now.
And/or click here to Call your members of Congress.
Friday, April 3, 2009
Saturday, March 14, 2009
The Fair Housing Act Needs Enforcement in Rockland, Massachusetts
As the stimulus package fails to awaken accountability, The Fair Housing Act fails to be enforced at Rockland Place Apartments dba Spring Gate.
What Is Supposed to be Prohibited in the Rental of Housing?
No one may take any of the following actions based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status or handicap:
Refuse to rent or sell housing
Refuse to negotiate for housing
Make housing unavailable
Deny a dwelling
Set different terms, conditions or privileges for rental of a dwelling
Provide different housing services or facilities
Falsely deny that housing is available for inspection, sale, or rental
For profit, persuade owners to sell or rent (blockbusting) or
Deny anyone access to or membership in a facility or service related to the sale or rental of housing.
In addition, it is illegal for anyone to:
Threaten, coerce, intimidate or interfere with anyone exercising a fair housing right or assisting others who exercise that right
Advertise or make any statement that indicates a limitation or preference based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, or handicap. This prohibition against discriminatory advertising applies to single-family and owner-occupied housing otherwise exempt from the Fair Housing Act.
Additional Protection if You Have a Disability
If you or someone associated with you:
Have a physical or mental disability (including hearing, mobility and visual impairments, chronic alcoholism, chronic mental illness, AIDS, AIDS Related Complex and mental retardation) that substantially limits one or more major life activities
Have a record of such a disability or are regarded as having such a disability your landlord may not: Refuse to let you make reasonable modifications to your dwelling or common use areas, at your expense, if necessary for the disabled person to use the housing.
Corporate landlords should not refuse to make reasonable accommodations in rules, policies, practices or services if necessary for the disabled person to use the housing. Example: A subsidized apartment complex manager with a 'peaceful enjoyment' policy must not allow other tenants and their guests to throw balls, rocks, fireworks, etc. at selective apartment windows of any rent payer with or without a disability; Management should take effective and immediate action to resolve the unfair, threatening, and harassing treatment of any tenant which would discourage their continued tenancy and interfere with the enjoyment of their rented unit. Also, tenants should NOT be REQUIRED to sign fraudulent and misdated documents to remain in their subsidized unit.
Another good example could be: An apartment complex that offers tenants ample, unassigned parking should honor this to ALL households whether or not they can afford to own, rent, or borrow a vehicle to assure each household can have access to their rented apartment.
However, housing need not be made available to a person who is a direct threat to the health or safety of others or who currently distributes and/or uses illegal drugs.
*****************
A Management and Occupancy Review of Spring Gate Apts. will be conducted. Last week residents at Rockland Place dba Spring Gate received notices to 'clear the decks' for the visit of John Collins, a MassHousing representative. The March 13, 2009 review allegedly included an inspection of the grounds, buildings, common areas, administrative policies and
procedures, etc.
If tenants had specific issues to bring to the attention of John Collins, it was necessary for tenants to notify the management office of this prior to the inspection. (Of course, tenants realize they could suffer retaliation for bringing up specific issues.)
What Is Supposed to be Prohibited in the Rental of Housing?
No one may take any of the following actions based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status or handicap:
Refuse to rent or sell housing
Refuse to negotiate for housing
Make housing unavailable
Deny a dwelling
Set different terms, conditions or privileges for rental of a dwelling
Provide different housing services or facilities
Falsely deny that housing is available for inspection, sale, or rental
For profit, persuade owners to sell or rent (blockbusting) or
Deny anyone access to or membership in a facility or service related to the sale or rental of housing.
In addition, it is illegal for anyone to:
Threaten, coerce, intimidate or interfere with anyone exercising a fair housing right or assisting others who exercise that right
Advertise or make any statement that indicates a limitation or preference based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, or handicap. This prohibition against discriminatory advertising applies to single-family and owner-occupied housing otherwise exempt from the Fair Housing Act.
Additional Protection if You Have a Disability
If you or someone associated with you:
Have a physical or mental disability (including hearing, mobility and visual impairments, chronic alcoholism, chronic mental illness, AIDS, AIDS Related Complex and mental retardation) that substantially limits one or more major life activities
Have a record of such a disability or are regarded as having such a disability your landlord may not: Refuse to let you make reasonable modifications to your dwelling or common use areas, at your expense, if necessary for the disabled person to use the housing.
Corporate landlords should not refuse to make reasonable accommodations in rules, policies, practices or services if necessary for the disabled person to use the housing. Example: A subsidized apartment complex manager with a 'peaceful enjoyment' policy must not allow other tenants and their guests to throw balls, rocks, fireworks, etc. at selective apartment windows of any rent payer with or without a disability; Management should take effective and immediate action to resolve the unfair, threatening, and harassing treatment of any tenant which would discourage their continued tenancy and interfere with the enjoyment of their rented unit. Also, tenants should NOT be REQUIRED to sign fraudulent and misdated documents to remain in their subsidized unit.
Another good example could be: An apartment complex that offers tenants ample, unassigned parking should honor this to ALL households whether or not they can afford to own, rent, or borrow a vehicle to assure each household can have access to their rented apartment.
However, housing need not be made available to a person who is a direct threat to the health or safety of others or who currently distributes and/or uses illegal drugs.
*****************
A Management and Occupancy Review of Spring Gate Apts. will be conducted. Last week residents at Rockland Place dba Spring Gate received notices to 'clear the decks' for the visit of John Collins, a MassHousing representative. The March 13, 2009 review allegedly included an inspection of the grounds, buildings, common areas, administrative policies and
procedures, etc.
If tenants had specific issues to bring to the attention of John Collins, it was necessary for tenants to notify the management office of this prior to the inspection. (Of course, tenants realize they could suffer retaliation for bringing up specific issues.)
Friday, March 6, 2009
Friday, January 23, 2009
Allegations Against Corporate Management
Some of the allegations against management at subsidized Rockland Place Apartments dba Spring Gate are similar to those by residents of Roxse Homes and even from previous residents of Clarendon Hill Towers: (1) violation and breach of Occupancy Agreements; (2)favoritism in allocating apartments and parking spaces; (3)illegal interference with protected tenant activities; (4)illegal attempts at eviction; (5)harassment; (6)illegal coercion for tenants to sign misdated and fraudulent documents; (7) retaliation; (8) violation of Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 186; (9) extortion
What else do these housing complexes have in common? Cornerstone Corporation and MassHousing.
What else do these housing complexes have in common? Cornerstone Corporation and MassHousing.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Another Fight in January 2009
January 10, 2009: More trouble at 92E Martha Drive. Several 911 calls were made about a fight in progress around 1:45 a.m. Three people were arrested.
Tax credits and billions of dollars in government grants have not deterred corporate landlords of this subsidized housing complex from aiding and abetting crime on this property. Repeat offenders, tenants with criminal histories or illegal drugs are usually involved in the disturbances, threats, and fights. Where are those promised security cameras and that improved lighting?
Thursday, August 28, 2008
More on Rockland Place Apts.
Rockland Place Apts. is still in the dark while violence continues in the common areas. Another fight took place between the area of building 160 and 141 Martha Drive on August 15, 2008, around 10pm. This was after a violent knife and boulder attack, just a few weeks prior.
Still no promised police substation or security cameras installed, as promised by new owners. Rents continue to be raised and will not be affordable into perpetuity (another false promise by new owners). See documented information below*.
*-A 75% owned subsidiary of the Company (Connelly and Partners, LLC) is the owner of a limited liability company which is a .0005% General Partner in a partnership that has acquired a 204 unit apartment complex. The project was purchased for approximately $4,710,000 from the previous owner, plus an assumption of a $18,315,000 5.36% note from Mass Housing which is not due until January, 2024 at which time the Partnership has an option to buy the property at fair market value. Additionally, a $4,268,813 note at zero interest payable to HUD which is not due until sale, refinancing, end of affordability or repaid from Residual Receipts Funds.
The .999% Limited Partners are investing approximately $9,364,000 and will receive .999% of the Low Income Housing Tax Credits. The funds will be used for a $9,398,000 rehabilitation project which will be done by EH&N Construction Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of its Company.
The General Partner will collect a development fee of approximately $1,600,000 which could be reduced by cost overruns.
FHRC Management Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company will manage the Property. (It's the same property manager employee as from Cornerstone Corporation.)
Additional financing of approximately $5,700,000 will be provided by Mass Housing Finance Agency and $500,000 will be provided by the Department of Housing and Community Development, State of Massachusetts.
The accounting treatment of the transaction has not been determined to date and is under review.
*According to a published document on December 1, 2006.
Still no promised police substation or security cameras installed, as promised by new owners. Rents continue to be raised and will not be affordable into perpetuity (another false promise by new owners). See documented information below*.
*-A 75% owned subsidiary of the Company (Connelly and Partners, LLC) is the owner of a limited liability company which is a .0005% General Partner in a partnership that has acquired a 204 unit apartment complex. The project was purchased for approximately $4,710,000 from the previous owner, plus an assumption of a $18,315,000 5.36% note from Mass Housing which is not due until January, 2024 at which time the Partnership has an option to buy the property at fair market value. Additionally, a $4,268,813 note at zero interest payable to HUD which is not due until sale, refinancing, end of affordability or repaid from Residual Receipts Funds.
The .999% Limited Partners are investing approximately $9,364,000 and will receive .999% of the Low Income Housing Tax Credits. The funds will be used for a $9,398,000 rehabilitation project which will be done by EH&N Construction Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of its Company.
The General Partner will collect a development fee of approximately $1,600,000 which could be reduced by cost overruns.
FHRC Management Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company will manage the Property. (It's the same property manager employee as from Cornerstone Corporation.)
Additional financing of approximately $5,700,000 will be provided by Mass Housing Finance Agency and $500,000 will be provided by the Department of Housing and Community Development, State of Massachusetts.
The accounting treatment of the transaction has not been determined to date and is under review.
*According to a published document on December 1, 2006.
Friday, July 4, 2008
More Group Assaults in July 2008
July is getting off to another safe and happy start inside the subsidized Rockland Place Apartments dba Spring Gate (prison facility?) dba government subsidized housing complex in Rockland, Massachusetts. Though violence amongst residents and live-ins continue, there are still no promised security cameras in place to deter crime and traffik. Another group beating took place near 83 Hannah Way this first week in July 2008.
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