Risky Residences

Affordable housing may be hazardous to your health. The (DEP), Dept. of Environmental Protection Agency, (EPA) recently posted notices on entrance doors warning vulnerable tenants of asbestos hazards on the tax-credited property managed and owned by various corporate partners and investors of tax sheltered housing.  It's been reported that all units have asbestos embedded in the bathroom walls. Previous and current dwellers of this Section 8 housing complex weren't forewarned of the toxic and stressful living environment previous to signing a lease. Asbestos damage can reveal itself in the lungs anywhere from 10 to 40 years.  Past and current residents, especially those who survived leaks and/or building fires, and who have difficulty breathing may wish to get a chest x-ray. Watch the recent FOX news clip to know more about the toxic environment at Rockland Place Apartments dba Spring Gate Apts. in Rockland, Massachusetts.  http://www.fox25boston.com/news/bathroom-upgrades-turns-out-to-be-dangerous-asbestos-removal-at-rockland-apartment-complex/520618339

Caution: Tenants who publicly voice their legitimate safety concerns have been known to further suffer retaliation from politically-connected property managers, partners, etc.  Stay strong!

 Extra Links of Interest  *https://www.alllaw.com/resources/personal-injury/chemical-exposure-injury-cases

Recognize symptoms of asbestos exposure.
 **http://www.medicinenet.com/asbestos-related_disorders/article.htm

 Asbestos Checklist  *** https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/asbestos/checklist.html

  https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/asbestos/index.html

Private Prison Project-8  https://www.muckrock.com/project/the-private-prison-project-8/

Upcoming Mass Housing Seminars http://www.cvent.com/events/crisis-to-calm-collaborating-to-support-residents-mental-health-in-a-safe-environment/event-summary-f5fd782fda5b450d81fa51b7a1dd2f77.aspx

Billions in Bookkeeping Errors Revealed

HUD's Inspector General pointed out 11 material weaknesses, seven significant deficiencies, and five instances of failure to comply with laws and regulations, problems reported for three straight years.

Obama appointee, Julian Castro, served as HUD secretary from 2014 through the end of the Obama administration. Castro was preceded by Shaun Donovan, who was nominated to be the next director of the Office of Management and Budget. 

On March 2, 2017, Dr. Ben Carson was finally sworn in as HUD Secretary.  It appears President Trump's appointee has a lot of difficult work ahead in his new government position.

Read more: http://dennismichaellynch.com/audit-hud-reveals-billions-bookkeeping-errors/

Housing Video Links

1. Fraud, Waste, Abuse
2. Mismanagement Tax Dollars
3. HUD Cover-Up
4. HUD Fraud by Landlords
5. Wells Fargo/HUD/MassMutual
6. dba and Kier Property Mgmt.
7. Insufficient Tenant Protection
8. Lack of Transparency
9. HOUSING CORRUPTION

Millions To House Sex Offenders

     The criminals benefitting from the perk of affordable housing have been convicted of serious felonies, including rape, sexual assault and lewd or lascivious acts and many of the victims were children. The enraging details of how valuable tax dollars are illegally spent to help criminals was made public in a lengthy HUD Inspector General report published in August 2009.
     Scandal at HUD, a cabinet-level agency that strives to increase access to affordable housing, is hardly a novelty. George W. Bush’s corrupt HUD Secretary(Alphonso Jackson) was ousted for awarding millions in agency contracts to friends who gave him kickbacks on the deals and Bill Clinton’s HUD Secretary (Henry Cisneros) pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about payments to his former mistress. Ronald Reagan’s HUD Secretary (Samuel Pierce) was also embroiled in an influence-peddling scandal that led to the conviction of some of his top aides.  (Read more *)
*http://www.judicialwatch.org/blog/2009/08/millions-house-sex-offenders/

Coming To A Neighborhood Near You

       The Spring Gate apartment complex, also known as Rockland Place, has been in existence along Martha Drive and Hannah Way in Rockland, Massachusetts for about 42-years now. Hedge-fund investors and partners receive Low-Income Housing Tax Credits and billions of dollars in government funds in exchange for lowered rents, more paperwork, and regulations that aren't often enforced according to the HUD Handbook and federal/state laws. 
       This subsidized housing development has been financed and renovated with billions of dollars from HUD, MassHousing loans (with reduced interest rates), grants, taxpayer funds, etc.   The complex holds a total of 204 rental apartments.  193 of these apartments are reserved for low-income tenants who pay 30-40% of their income toward rent payments.  HUD pays the remainder of the rent to the corporate partners who own numerous subsidized properties across the country.         According to police and tenants, this mixed-income, subsidized development has been a hot spot for crime in Rockland, including rapes, drugs, robberies, break-ins, mail theft, fires, beatings, threats, shootings, vandalism, and knife attacks for more than a decade. Except for the first 10 years, Rockland Place has always been a nuisance property, often unsafe and indecent, with violations in codes, human rights, and fair housing laws. 

          Some people have suspected blue collar and white collar organized crime on this property.  Unusual and extra heavy traffic patterns began flowing in and out of this dead-end complex sometime in the 1980's.  In the nineties, peculiar business listings were published in phone directories and online. One listed phone number called an answering machine at So. Shore Voc-Tech. There was never a Mariott Hotel or a Friendly's Ice Cream Shop or even a Rockland Self-storage facility at any residential building on Martha Drive, where cocaine and other drugs were often sold.  So why all the repetitive business listings in this subsidized housing complex, even after listings were reported to corporate mgmt., MassHousing Finance, and government officials?  Perhaps laundering drug money?
               In 2008, Rockland Police Lt., Barry Ashton, explained the ongoing criminal activity to a local daily newspaper, “It’s an apartment complex, and any time you have an apartment complex with a lot of people squeezed into a tight geographic area, you’re going to have problems.”   Ashton has since retired from the Rockland Police Dept. after another police officer was promoted to Police Chief. 
             When Rockland Place first started housing people in 1972, this 'non-profit' property was owned and managed by Edwin D. Abrams.  Sometime in the 1980's, Rockland Place started adding partners like Bruce Rozet of AFC Corporation and Julie Wall of United Housing Preservation.   In 1996, Cornerstone Corporation replaced Abrams Management.  Rockland Place continued in its downward spiral.     
            From  2005,  Neil H. Ellis of First Hartford Corporation and William M. Connolly of the newly established Connolly and Partners LLC were first introduced to residents and added to the mix of additional partners and investors. Residents weren't informed of Boston Capital's involvement until after it was published on this site.  The newer corporate partners promised to clean up the crime and to improve the property's bad reputation by changing the name to Spring Gate. 
           Deceptive business practices, wastefulness, crime, and substandard living conditions continued.  At least one resident with documented medical disabilities was not accommodated and escaped into homelessness with absolutely no compensation from the government financed corporate landlords.  Other tenants stayed and also suffered losses with personal property damaged during shoddy repairs and renovations.
         Currently, this subsidized multifamily housing complex has about 20 vacant apartments. While rents continue to increase, residents live with pipe leaks and repetitive sewerage backup, asbestos in wall panels, crime and other unsafe conditions, increased apartment inspections by a variety of government agencies and corporations, non-compliance of lease agreements, etc.
         Let's face it, government programs look better on paper than they actually are.  If these poorly managed programs really helped the vulnerable, more Americans would be better able to lift themselves out of poverty and dependency.
        The never-ending cycle of government expansion and dependency continues under President Obama.  He insists on using more tax dollars to build even more subsidized housing in good neighborhoods.   So please remind me ... How does infecting more American neighborhoods with crime and socialism improve American lives?  

*Here's what Dr. Ben Carson thinks on the subject. (external article)

**Who Are the Biggest Corporate Welfare Moochers? (external article)

NOTE 1: Long url for this blog: http://www.typog.blogspot.com

NOTE 2: Shortened url:   http://goo.gl/htEcFF



    

Quality of Standards - Government Vouchers

SEARCH INDEPENDENT NEWS + MEDIA HERE!

May 1, 2015 blog:  A meeting was recently held at the Rockland Place dba Spring Gate Apartments Community Room for tenants to bid farewell to one on-site property manager, Janet Hamilton, and to welcome another, Donna Burks-Smith.

There's been talk of an asbestos problem in the drywall throughout this housing complex in Rockland, MA, along with some flooding, pipe leaks, illegal activities, and another death.

It's also been reported to this site that FHRC Management at Clarendon Hill Towers in Somerville, MA may be bugging an apartment on the 12th floor.  Of course, we're unable to confirm this particular story, but it certainly wouldn't be the first time a corporate property manager illegally bugged a low-income resident's apartment.

(Have you been illegally harassed by Management, live-ins, or other residents?   If so, write in and tell us your story.)

Here's a link low-income residents may be interested in viewing:  http://democrats.financialservices.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=399001
*****************************************************************************************
April 1, 2015 blog note:  Does your place of residence meet the housing quality standards of the Section 8 rental assistance program?  Find out here:  http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/documents/huddoc?id=52580.pdf
*******************************************************************
March 2015 blog note: Is it really true that the housing authority is allowing the increase of rents for Section 8 apartments to be a higher amount, as if  Spring Gate / Rockland Place units were located in Boston, MA?  The cost of apartments used to be at lower rates in Rockland than they were in Boston.  Convenience and access to public transportation in Rockland is poor when compared to that in Boston.
**************************************************
February 5, 2015 blog:
HOMELESSNESS: President's 2016 BUDGET
This plan may help the homelessness problem in America, but does not resolve the crime, corruption and victimization which exists in subsidized housing complexes.
http://usich.gov/resources/uploads/asset_library/2016_Budget_Fact_Sheet_on_Homelessness_Assistance.pdf       
 No security cameras and no police substation ever existed.  Tenants were further traumatized and/or victimized after assaults in darkened common areas.

Would Government Controlled Internet Be Like Affordable Housing?

     Please take the time to view the video link below of what it might be like should the government and/or favored corporations take control of the internet.  It has similarities to life at Rockland Place dba Spring Gate Apartments in Rockland, MA where corporations and government overstep their bounds to deny American citizens privacy and the right to protect ourselves from those who do us harm.
      Financially needy people do become repeatedly victimized in 'affordable' or subsidized housing complexes, operated by bad landlords who only pretend to care about crime on their nuisance properties.  Some of these corporate landlords have even worked in government offices and promoted programs that would enrich themselves.
        Many government programs are abused and do NOT work.  Instead of uplifting families out of poverty, these mismanaged programs tend to keep people buried in poverty, low self-esteem, and powerlessness. Some programs deny individuals the right to protect themselves from ruthless individuals and corporations who have full access to tenants' homes and everything inside.
      Some people say, "You're denying yourself because you'd get yourself out of poverty if it bothers you so much."  The tools to do this aren't always available for a number of reasons, too numerous to mention in this article. Yes, some people are able to lift themselves from poverty, but the percentage is extremely small. Even some people who work full-time can not afford to rent an apartment.
         Let's take a look at some of the Americans living in poverty.  Minimum wage earners are one group.  Elderly people, who worked most of their lives paid into social security, and may be surviving on an annual income of $13,000 in social security with Medicare paying 80% toward medical bills. For the most part, COLA, or cost of living increases are not realistic with climbing expenses for basic necessities. People in this category may also receive food stamps which would probably pay 1/4 of their grocery bill, if that. Yes, it's better than nothing, but it's often a trade off of certain privacy rights and freedoms.
     There are Veterans, survivors of crime, and citizens with debilitating medical issues (not readily seen) who may be unable to work with any stability due to medical difficulties that interfere with several aspects of life.  Some of these people suffer PTSD or mental health problems like schizophrenia and major depression, etc. These people constantly hear the criticisms of ignorant Americans who disrespect them.  They're treated with contempt and disgust because "they don't get off their lazy butts and hold a job".
      While some American citizens do need assistance, I don't believe the solution is in throwing more tax dollars to unsafe, substandard, subsidized housing where tenants are repeatedly victimized by some property managers and favored corporations.  I think it's time we stop throwing money toward poorly run government programs and think outside the box to come up with better solutions.
http://www.departmentoftheinternet.net/request-installation/?utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=Obama+launches+the+Department+of+the+Internet&utm_campaign=02-05-O-DepofInternet

PUBLIC INCIDENT LOG by Rockland Police

FROM SEPTEMBER 1--26th, 2014 for the 32 Buildings inside of

ROCKLAND PLACE APARTMENTS doing business as SPRING GATE APTS.

RE: Martha Drive, Rockland, MA 02370 - (posted in military time)

*9/1/14 @ 14:35_Incident # 1-2014-022140_Malicious damage to motor vehicle @ 110 Martha Drive (unposted apt.)_ services rendered by Patrolman John M. Rafferty

*9/1/14 @ 20:11 _ Incident# I-2014-022156_Disturbance @ Martha Drive (unposted bldg.), persons advised by Patrolman Brian J. McDonald

*9-2-14 @ 08:16 _ Incident# I-2014-022192_Check well being @ 242 Martha Drive, area search negative by Patrolman Susan J. Llewellyn

*9-3-14 @ 00:06_Incident # I-2014-022271_Motor vehicle towed on Martha Drive (unposted bldg.#) ... Logged Only

*9-3-14 @ 10:55 military time_Incident # I-2014-022320_Message delivery @ 210 Martha Drive services rendered by Patrolman Susan J. Llewellyn

*9-3-14 @ 21:00_Incident # I-2014-022367_Directed patrol on Martha Drive

*9-4-14 @ 14:56_Incident # I-2014-022452, Missing person @ 92 Martha Drive (unposted apt.) ... Services rendered by Patrolman John M. Rafferty

*9-4-14 @ 17:29_Incident # I-2014-022471_Restraining order extended at 110 Martha Drive (unposted apt.).....  Logged only

*9-6-14 @ 00:05_Incident # I-2014-022627_911 emergency @ 141 Martha Drive (unposted apt.)... Checked okay by Patrolman Michael D. Byers

*9-6-14 @ 19:21_Incident # I-2014-022689_Motor vehicle breaking and entering @ 177 Martha Drive (unposted apt.) .... Advised by Patrolman Ethan L. Schnabel

*9-7-14 @ 12:39_Incident # I-2014-022750_Medical emergency @ 141 Martha Drive_Person(s) transported_Report by Patrolman Joseph H. Rogers

*9-8-14 @ 00:06_Incident # I-2014-022790_disturbance @ Martha Drive (unposted bldg. #)_Services rendered by Sgt. Peter M. Chernicki

*9-8-14 @ 18:56_Incident # I-2014-022864_Suspicious activity @ Martha Drive (unposted bldg.) _ person(s) advised by Patrolman Jeffrey A. DiRenzo

*9-9-14 @ 11:19_Incident # I-2014-022927_Suspicious activity @ Martha Drive (unposted bldg.)_Area search negative by Patrolman Steven P. Somers

*9-15-14 @ 11:24_Incident# I-2014-023453_Motor vehicle theft @ 191 Martha Drive (unposted apt.)_ Services rendered by Patrolman Kevin M. Gallagher

*9-15-14 @ 22:11_Incident# I-2014-023491_Assault and battery @ 42 Martha Drive (unposted apt.)_Advised by Patrolman Michael D. Byers

*9-16-14 @ 21:57_Incident # I-2014-023563_Suspicious activity @ Martha Drive (unposted bldg., apt.)_Services rendered by Patrolman Steven P. Somers

*9-18-14 @ 08:58_Incident# I-2014-023694_Breaking and entering during daytime @ 140 Martha Drive (unposted apt.)_Services rendered by Patrolman Kevin M. Gallagher

*9-18-14 @ 17:36_Incident # I-2014-023720_Assist other agency @ 140 Martha Drive (unposted apt.) _ Services rendered by Patrolman Ethan L. Schnabel

*9-19-14 @ 09:23_Incident # I-2014-023774_Field investigation @ Martha Drive (unposted bldg.) _ Checked okay _ (unposted patrolman)

*9-19-14 @ 10:27_Incident# I-2014-023777_Disturbance @ 140 Martha Drive (unposted apt.)_ Advised by Patrolman Joseph J. Rogers

*9-20-14 @ 16:49_Incident # I-2014-023896_Assist citizen @ 140 Martha Drive (unposted apt.)_Services rendered by Patrolman Jeffrey A. DiRenzo

*9-22-14 @ 21:07_Incident # I-2014-024058_Suicide attempted @ 74 Martha Drive (unposted apt.)_Person(s) transported_Reporting officer: Michael D. Byers

*9-23-14 @ 13:25_Incident# I-2014-024109_Disturbance @ 62 Martha Drive (unposted apt.)_Services rendered by Patrolman Kevin Gallagher

*9-23-14 @ 15:50_Incident # I-2014-024121_Restraining order extended @ 191 Martha Drive (unposted apt.)_Logged by Patrolman Sean D. Brundige

*9-24-14 @ 08:54_Incident # I-2014-024177_Field Investigation @ Hannah Way and Martha Drive_Checked out okay _ (unposted reporting officer)

*9-24-14 @ 18:31 _ Incident# I-2014-024226_Breaking and entering during daytime @ 191 Martha Drive (unposted apt.)_Services rendered by Patrolman Brian J. McDonald

*9-26-14 @ 18:48_Incident #I-2014-024322_Assault @ 230 Martha Drive (unposted apt.).......***See report by Patrolman Brian J. McDonald

***ARREST REPORT: Rosania Moreno, age: 29, 45 Hannah Way, Apt. F, charged with: 265-13A and 265-15A_Assault and Battery and Assault and Battery with Dangerous Weapon

RE: more on Hannah Way, Rockland, MA 02370 - (posted in military time)

*9-3-14 @ 09:54 _ Incident# I-2014-022315_Check well being @ 34 Hannah Way (unposted apt.)_ Logged by Auxilary Tim Daly

*9-4-14 @ 05:02_Incident# I-2014-022397_Log only note @ Hannah Way (unposted bldg.,apt.)_(unposted officer)

*9-4-14 @ 20:48_Incident# I-201-022487_Assist citizen @ 75 Hannah Way (unposted apt.)_Assist Citizen _ Services rendered by unposted officer.

*9-6-14 @ 19:04_Incident# I-2014-022594_Neighbor disturbance @ 43 Hannah Way (unposted apt.)_Advised by Patrolman Joseph g. Zielinski

*9-6-14 @ 18:48 _ Incident# I-2014-022687_Check well being @ 45 Hannah Way (unposted apt.)_Services rendered by Patrolman Ethan L. Schnabel

*9-6-14 @ 23:09_Incident # I-2014-022706_Medical emergency @ 43 Hannah Way (unposted apt.)_Medical emergency and transported_Patrolman Ethan L. Schnabel

*9-7-14 @ 17:12_ Incident# I-2014-022764_Disturbance @ 83 Hannah Way (unposted apt.) _ Advised by Patrolman Brian J. McDonald

*9-8-14 @ 16:38 _ Incident # I-2014-022848_Assist citizen @ 45 Hannah Way (unposted apt. and patrolman)_Advised

*9-8-14 @ 16:13 _ Incident# I-2014-022851_ Disturbance @ 75 Hannah Way (unposted apt.)_ Transported _ Patrolman Jeffrey A. DiRenzo

*9-10-14 @ 22:40 _ Incident # I-2014-023073_Motor vehicle stopped on John A Dunn Memorial Drive (road joining Martha Dr.)_Patrolman Steven P. Somers

***ARREST INFORMATION: Charged, Sanya Ream, 24 yrs old, 43 Hannah Way Apt. F with 90-23 and c90 1B D: License or Reg. suspended and Moped violation, Helmet violation / moped on restricted highway/operation +17 without license / speed violation / Misc. traffic violation

*9-11-14 @ 11:11_Incident # I-2014-023120_Animal complaint @ 86 Hannah Way (unposted apt.) _ Services rendered by Patricia Whittemore of animal control

*9-12-14 @ 20:18 _ Incident# I-2014-023252 _ Summons service @ 63 Hannah Way (unposted apt.) _ Summons service but summons not served

*9-20-14 @ 13:54 _ Incident# I-2014-023681_ Neighbor disturbance @ 43 Hannah Way (unposted apt.)_ Advised by Patrolman Kevin M. Gallagher

*9-24-14 @ 08:54 _ Incident # I-2014-024177_Field investigation @ Hannah Way and Martha Drive_Checked okay by unposted officer

*9-25-14 @ 10:57_Incident# I-2014-024283_Field investigation @ Hannah Way (unposted bldg., apt.) _checked okay by unposted officer

*9-25-14 @ 18:48_Incident# I-2014-024322_Assault and battery with dangerous weapon @ 230 Martha Drive (unposted apt.)_See report listed above on 45-F Hannah Way by Patrolman Brian J. McDonald

*9-25-14 @ 20:33_Incident # I-2014-024329 _ Follow-up investigation @ 45 Hannah Way_Reported by Patrolman Brian J. McDonald

Blogger's Note:  It's obvious that a dangerous and costly pattern of illegal activity continues on this nuisance property, in violation of laws and occupancy agreements, that corporate owners and management intentionally fail to effectively address.

Terminating Rent Supps + Chapter 40T

A meeting with corporate landlords, management, tenants, and their representatives will be held at 52 Hannah Way, Rockland Mass. tonight, 10/9/2014 at 6:00 pm to discuss the termination of some rent supplements, info regarding project-based subsidies, and Title VII, Chapter 40T of the Massachusetts General Laws.  What does it all mean to you and your family?  It may be helpful to take a look at the following links before attending this meeting:
 * http://www.cbpp.org/cms/?fa=view&id=3890
**http://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleVII/Chapter40T