Unsafe and Indecent Housing

      Violence and drug sales take place on many MHFA and HUD financed properties, maybe because it takes at least 4+ years to install promised security cameras on their nuisance properties. Whether you call it Spring Gate or Rockland Place, addicts and resellers still know where to buy the stuff.  This 204-unit Rockland multifamily complex remains without security cameras and still has no police substation! (Click on image.)
     Another serious incident took place at Spring Gate Apartments on July 20, 2010.  People insist a gun was fired around 7:30 pm at the PLAYGROUND;  yet, there was no mention of this shooting in any newspaper article.  There was also no mention of which residents were involved. Rockland Police and an Abington ambulance remained in the area for over an hour.
            Two Rockland males were arrested after allegedly robbing someone at gunpoint during a drug deal at the HUD subsidized Rockland Place, located on Hannah Way and Martha Drive, Rockland, MA.   To read more on this news story, visit the following link.... http://www.enterprisenews.com/news/x550419436/Rockland-brothers-accused-of-armed-robbery-during-drug-deal
     Why are crimes by certain apartment dwellers usually minimized and swept under the government-funded carpets? Why do government agencies, Rockland Place hedge fund partners and management offer false hope and security to vulnerable Spring Gate residents when more funds are to be had?  They PRETEND to want resolve to ongoing crime issues by using the same cycle of inadequate procedures. All the while, corporate partners collect higher rents and tax credits, and political campaigns receive larger 'contributions'.  Somehow, quality-of-life for concerned and vulnerable low-income citizens gets lost in the shuffle.  In private, officials answer legitimately concerned residents with snide comments like, 'there are worse places to live', AND, 'you can always move if you don't like it'.

Illegal Profits in Subsidized Housing

This seems to be an accurate video except I see no mention of corruption being involved in the downfall of subsidized properties.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxfC2N_av78&feature=related

Corrupt Politician List

Judicial Watch, the public interest group that investigates and prosecutes government corruption, today released its 2009 list of Washington's "Ten Most Wanted Corrupt Politicians. http://www.judicialwatch.org/news/2009/dec/judicial-watch-announces-list-washington-s-ten-most-wanted-corrupt-politicians-2009

Here's one in Massachusetts.
Wilkerson - Boston.com Local Search

Favors in Government Financed Housing

"It's all about politics," one of the current corporate partners at Rockland Place Apartments dba SpringGate and former executive at Winn, Mr. William M. Connolly, once stated.  This statement was made during a meeting with Rockland Place residents after adding more Rockland Place partnership names to the subsidized housing complex in Rockland, Mass.
     I always wondered what that particular statement meant, but after reading of campaign contributions and special interests, witnessing serious breaches and legal violations allowed on this subsidized property in Rockland, and after following some interesting articles in The Boston Globe, I think I understand.  It's sad and tragic how greed and corruption have taken priority over doing what's ethical and just.
      Former Massachusetts state senator Dianne Wilkerson admitted to a federal judge that she took $23,500 in bribes, saying later that she had pleaded guilty to attempted extortion charges .......
Former Senator Dianne Wilkerson and other officials named in corruption probe .....
*http://search.boston.com/local/Search.do?s.sm.query=Wilkerson&s.tab=

**http://www.boston.com/realestate/news/articles/2009/02/05/developer_defends_giving_wilkerson_money/?page=full

BE PREPARED AGAIN

Wednesday, 6-23-2010, an Inspector from Boston Capital, the syndicator of the Tax Credit program, was on site at Rockland Place dba SpringGate Apts.  Though only ten apartments were inspected, ALL RESIDENTS were warned by Management to be prepared for another inspection.
      Most certainly, Management continues to appreciate tenants' cooperation in not speaking out, and is ever so sorry for the serious inconveniences to their tenants' lives (as long as their corporations and numerous limited liability partnerships continue getting their Tax Credits and State and Federal funds).  Hopefully, tenants will remember to check their lugnuts each and every time before exiting this chaotic housing complex for a Safe and Happy Summer!

One separate inspection from each agency and corporation total 4 to 5 likely inspections each year.  So tenants must again drop all plans and be prepared!  With MassHousing, HUD, Rockland Housing Authority, Boston Capital, property management and head of maintenance 'performing' so many 'annual' inspections, I'd think Rockland Place dba Spring Gate Apts. would be more appropriately managed.  How many years have tenants had to deal with faulty fire alarm panels and loud alarms seriously disrupting lives while Tyco-Simplex Grinnell continue to allegedly repair and inspect their installed system?  

Oh well, at least SpringGate children, ages 2 to 12 yrs. old, FINALLY get a playground to play in.  It beats playing in the midst of violent assaults and SpringGate traffic! 

Pirates in the Palace

'SpringGate Apts.', officially known as 'Rockland Place', and sarcastically nicknamed 'The Palace', continues to run false and misleading advertisements while rents are raised.  Ads boast 'luxurious living' at this government subsidized housing complex.  Other ads for these residentially-zoned apartments continue to claim 141 Martha Drive as a self-storage facility.  Mark Stahley of MassHousing removed previous business listings at this same address; however, the false ads continue to be placed.  Considering what I've witnessed and experienced on this tax-credited property, the self-storage facility and other business listings likely serve some illegal purpose. It's a hedge fund haven for greed and havoc.  Individual investors continue to hide behind various corporate and partnership names.

On May 25, 2010, about fifteen legitimate residents attended the rent increase meeting with questions that received little or no definitive answers. .... Nothing new about that.
      One tenant asked if this corporate landlord planned on reinstalling the speed bumps which were removed  during renovations several years ago. Residents were concerned to hear about two children recently struck by a speeding vehicle inside this housing complex.  Speed limit signs have been missing for years now.  Or maybe they're just faded and illegible, like their handicapped parking signs.

      On the morning of the rent increase meeting, around 7 a.m., police received an emergency call.  Seems someone's black car, with New Hampshire plates, turned into a boat.  The car disappeared from SpringGate's luxurious guest parking lot and was found in the moat or murky waters below.  The unleveled and unpaved patch of land usually holds 6-8 cars.  If a 2-foot, concrete, retainer wall were in place, it could have acted as a barrier to the stream to prevent such mishaps.... Or maybe SpringGate Apartments plans to also advertise the luxurious amenity of underground parking?

Political Connections Pay Off Again

* Once again, breaking laws benefit those politically connected.  http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/05/17/obamas-aunt-granted-asylum-prevent-return-kenya/

This Just In from MassHousing's TAP

It is not too late to register for the Aging with Dignity Conference on June 8 at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester. This important conference presents a comprehensive look at the critically important issue of substance use in older adults through a variety of workshops and presentations on topics such as alcohol, medications, smoking, gambling and mental-health related issues.
     The fee is $45.00 and includes CEUs for numerous professional disciplines. For more information click on the below link or contact AdCare Educational Institute at 508-752-7313.  http://guest.cvent.com/EVENTS/Info/Summary.aspx?e=45605631-3d12-4d9d-b56d-f8371d435832

     It seems like an interesting conference for their Housing Colleagues. It could be even more interesting if TAP could hold a conference on the critically important issues of fraud, drugs and money laundering.  Another interesting conference might be 'When Children Witness Violence on HUD properties'.
     ON ANOTHER NOTE, a multiple page notice was hung by the building doors at Rockland Place dba SpringGate for another request to raise rents due to increased utility costs.  The meeting will be held at 5:30pm on May 25, 2010 at the Community Room, 52 Hannah Way, Rockland, MA.
     To save money on utilities, Spring Gate's management really could stop providing a FREE place of residence for those NOT LISTED on occupancy agreements, especially when they have a criminal history and/or a steady source of income.  Live-ins who flush toilets, take showers, and use electricity, along with the continued operation of a self-storage facility, etc. from subsidized apartments, causes an unnecessary and unfair expense for legitimate tenants and taxpayers!
 http://www.selfstoragenet.com/index2.php?id=7355 Rockland Self Storage, Find or Rent Storage Units,...  Rockland Self Storage - 141 Martha Dr - Rockland, Massachusetts 02370 ...
  

Who Profits While Helping to Destroy Lives?

*http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/drugs/archive/whoprofits.html

*Is it really just to help those in poverty?  Come on now! http://www.ncsha.org/blog/ncsha-supports-frank-preservation-bill  .... HUD finances at housing complexes and Section 8 housing vouchers are being misused and abused!

*Let's take a look at all members and associate members of National Multi Housing Council:  http://www.nmhc.org/
Rockland Place Apts. is listed as a hedge fund under Boston Capital, listed under NMHC.    Connolly and PARTNERS LLC is listed as an associate member of NMHC and is JUST ONE of the LISTED OWNERS of this 204-unit, HUD subsidized, housing complex.  He never installed those promised security cameras to curb illegal activities at Rockland Place dba Spring Gate Apts.  They claim First Hartford Realty manages the tax-credited property. However, Janet Hamilton of Cornerstone Corporation continues to be the onsite property manager.  And, who are the executives of Cornerstone?  Nothing going on here!