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.)

Limited Choices

Living in a cage
with bottled rage -
Unhealthy for any age.
Limited choices - diminished voices ...

~And so this page.

Repression Leads to Depression

A community that represses artistic expression will find itself suffering from symptoms such as substance abuse, juvenile crime, gang violence, teen pregnancy, domestic violence and other marks of malaise.