quarterly - Cleveland Housing Network

vol. 10 No. 2
summer 2009
QUARTERLY
» Spring into Action Recap. (pg. 3)
» Homeowner Profile. Anita Glenn. (pg. 4)
» Resident Spotlight. Imari White. (pg. 5)
» Community Training Center. Learn more about classes
and services the CTC offers. (pg. 6)
» Summer Saving Tips. (pg. 7)
SUMMER 2009 RAC SCHEDULE:
WEDNESDAY, July 15, 2009 @ 6:00 PM
•
WEDNESDAY, September 16, 2009 @ 6:00 PM
LOCATION: Cleveland Housing Network, 2999 Payne Avenue No. 306 • Please contact Sahnara Hendrix for more information about RAC at [email protected]
• T H I N G S YOU NEED TO KNOW •
3rd Party & Annual Inspections:
We need your cooperation
CHN Changes Rent
Collection Policy
On occasion there may be a need to enter your home to complete an inspection
with third-party inspectors, as well as the required annual inspection on every
home owned by CHN. CHN conducts annual inspections. Your inspection will be
scheduled 60 days prior to your move-in anniversary date. We will inspect for
decent, safe, and sanitary conditions. You will be notified at least 24 hours in
advance or sooner if possible.
ALL rent payments being made after
the 15th of each month MUST be
paid at the main CHN offices. Your
Property Manager can no longer
accept your rent after this date at the
neighborhood group’s office.
If you or an adult household member are unable to be at home at the time of your
inspection, please notify your Property Manager to make arrangements. Please note:
Locks will be changed at the resident’s expense if your Property Manager does not
have a current set of keys and is unable to gain access to your home.
CHN Accepts
Section 8 Vouchers!
Cleveland Housing Network’s
“No Cash Policy”: Help Stop Fraud!
CHN has a strict policy that NO employee, Property Manager, or CHN representative
shall request or receive cash or personal favors from CHN residents or applicants for
CHN housing or services.
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If you know of any violation of this policy,
please immediately write to:
Rob Curry
CHN Executive Director
P.O. Box 201399
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Cleveland, Ohio 44120
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*All sensitive information will be held in
confidence. Only employees, property
managers, and CHN representatives will
be held accountable for any violation of
this policy.
Congratulations to new Section 8
voucher holders! Did you know that
you may use your voucher on your
current home? Having a voucher may
help you and your family to reach
your home ownership goals. Just
contact Illise Ferrell, CHN’s Section 8
Coordinator, at 216-774-2416 with any
questions.
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We encourage all CHN residents to send us any ideas, comments,
or questions regarding Homepage.
Send your thoughts to Kate Carden at
216-664-6277 or [email protected].
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We look forward to hearing from you!
This piece is printed on Beckett Expression Snow 30% PCW
which is manufactured carbon neutral, entirely with Green-e
certified wind-generated electricity, and contains 30% postconsumer recycled fiber. This paper is certifed by Green Seal.
2
Letter from the President
of the RAC
Y
es, summer is finally here! This
is the time when we can enjoy our
homes and gardens or travel. If you’re
planning on staying close to home this
summer you can make it more enjoyable
by starting a garden or block club. I
encourage everyone to get out and meet
your neighbors. Getting to know your
neighbors encourages accountability
and personal responsibility.
When I travel, my neighbor waters my
plants, picks up my mail and brings
my newspapers inside. Starting a block
club can make your neighborhood safer
and more enjoyable for you and your
family. I’m sure everyone has noticed
that many of the blighted houses are
being torn down and you might be
wondering how to beautify that vacant
lot. My suggestion is to contact your
councilman and enlist their support on
turning that vacant lot into a vegetable
or flower garden.
I hope that everyone enjoyed the Spring
into Action event. I encourage each
resident to attend a RAC meeting to
discuss concerns, issues and ideas with
the RAC and CHN. You may learn about
new programs that could impact you.
You can also nominate you or a friend for
the Vice President or Secretary positions
by sending an email to the RAC e-mail
account. Together, let’s make a change.
Residents participated in a raffle to win prizes, including
lawn tools, storage lockers, and flower pots.
CHN’s 3rd Annual Spring into Action was a huge success thanks to our
residents, workshop instructors and staff volunteers!
Spring into Action was held at the Asia Plaza on April 18, 2009. Over
100 residents participated in the day’s events and attended educational
workshops on landscaping, painting, asthma in the home, and
homeownership. Wonderful gifts were provided by CHN and the Home
Depot. We thank everyone for their participation and look forward to next
year! Look for details on the next event in upcoming issues of Hompage.
As one resident put it, “Service today showed me that CHN lives up to their
name. Thank you!”
We would like to thank the outside vendors and
instructors who made the day possible:
Emily Lee, American Lung Association of Ohio
Linda Markus and vendors, Brunswick Home Depot
Alesci’s of South Euclid
Tip Top Tents
Dave’s Market
Our next RAC meeting will be held on
July 15, 2009 at CHN. I hope to see you
there!
Sincerely,
Sahnara Hendrix, R.A.C. President
3
Homeowner
Profile
Anita Glenn, happy at home
with her grandchildren.
W
hen Anita Glenn moved into her current home in
2000, she already knew that she would eventually
own it. Ms. Glenn took steps towards becoming a
homeowner early and put herself in a good position to
purchase the home this past April.
The Community Training Center’s “Homesmart” classes
helped her immensely, she says, as well as learning how
to ‘do-it-herself’ around the house; Ms. Glenn studied
DIY books and worked with CHN’s maintenance team to
maintain and improve her home. She built up a savings
account that allowed her to do such things.
As for other CHN residents, Ms. Glenn says that patience
is the key and it’s important to take a step back and look at
the big picture.
As a homeowner, she is active in her community. Ms. Glenn
is currently working with her councilman and a local police
station to start a community garden and a neighborhood
street watch.
Ms. Glenn sends a special thanks to her friend Veronica
Harper-Thornton, also a CHN homeowner, for introducing
her to the lease-purchase program.
Did you know...
Community Housing
Solutions has a free tool
loan program for Cleveland
residents
The tool loan program provides a
variety of tools free of charge, allowing
Clevelanders to maintain, repair and
improve their homes affordably.
Registration Process:
»Complete a confidential application
»Provide a photo ID with Social
Security Number, current utility bill,
and verification of phone number
»Please allow up to 3 days to process
your application
For a complete listing of tools
available and for an overview of the
tool loan program’s policies, please
contact one of these locations:
Woodland-Larchmere
12114 Larchmere Blvd.
216-231-5815
Most tools are overnight-loans, but the
loan periods vary. Tools lent are “first
Near West Side
»Only one tool loan card will be issued
come, first served,” and must be used
per household and tools are not lent
1967 W. 45th St.
in the City of Cleveland. Borrowers
to
people
under
18
years
of
age
216-651-0077
are completely responsible for the safe
Call
now
to
make
an
appointment:
(216)
881-8443,
ext.
1
transport, storage, and operation of tools.
Completely free, confidential, and fast!
4
Resident
Spotlight
I Know Who I Am
by Imari White
I know who I am
when I am on the soccer field.
I know who I am
when I am writing a poem.
I know who I am
when I am learning something.
I don’t know who I am
when I don’t do so well on the
reading tests.
I don’t know who I am
when I allow others to get me in trouble.
I don’t know who I am
when I am not scoring goals.
I know I am Imari
and that is what matters the most!
M
ost people never get the chance
to say that they have read
their poetry at the New York Stock
Exchange. That’s not the case for
Imari White, age 10, who got to read
her poem “I Know Who I Am” in New
York City this past April as part of
the America SCORES 3rd Annual
Poetry Slam.
Imari, daughter of Rosa Williams,
and a fellow classmate were chosen
from 256 Cleveland poet-athletes
students due to their “high quality
poems, poise, and maturity.”
America SCORES is a national
model for youth development that
uses creative writing and soccer
to inspire literacy and good health
in urban youth. Cleveland is one of
14 America SCORES city affiliates
and serves eight Cleveland schools
within the Glenville, Hough, Fairfax,
North Broadway/Slavic Village, and
Ohio City neighborhoods.
Imari White, age 10, reciting
her poem “I Know Who I am” at
the New York Stock Exchange,
April 2009. (Photography by
Christopher Auger-Dominguez,
www.studiofourb.com)
For more information on the America
SCORES program, please visit www.
AmericaSCORESCleveland.org.
CHN sends its congratulations
to Imari and her family for this
wonderful accomplishment!
5
Community Training Center
Our Community Training Center’s dedicated staff is here to
help you reach all of your homeownership goals! Stop in to
check out all of its great resources or sign up to take any
of our classes listed below!
COMMUNITY TRAINING CENTER CLASSES
Classes fill up quickly!
To register please call
216-881-8443
or visit www.chnnet.com
class
day
time
start date
Step into Homeownership (4 weeks)
Thursdays
6-8pm
7/9, 8/6, 9/3, 10/1
Fridays
10am-12pm
8/7, 10/2
Computer Basics (8 weeks)
Wednesday
10am-12pm, 6-8pm
7/29, 9/23
Computer – MS Office (8 weeks)
Thursdays
10am-12pm, 6-8pm
7/28, 9/22
Homestart (6 weeks)
Mondays
6-8pm
7/27
Homestart (4 weeks)
Tuedays
10am-12pm
10/6
Financial Literacy Series* (4 weeks)
Tuesdays
6-8pm
7/7, 8/4, 9/1, 10/6
Thursdays
10am-12pm
8/6, 10/1
My Money (1 session)
Thursdays
10am-12pm
7/16, 9/10
*The Financial Literacy Series includes My Money, My Banking, My Credit, and My Goals.
Are you interested in improving your
credit and building your savings?
The CHN Community Training Center has developed
the perfect program to help you reach your financial
goals and ideal credit score – become a member of
the 680 Club!
»Monitor improvement in credit scores over a
6-12 month period
You will have access to the following services:
»Upon completion, the first 25 program
participants will receive a $50 match
savings to help kick off your savings goal (some
restrictions apply – please ask for details)
»Our FREE personal finance workshop series
»Receive a FREE copy of your credit report
(with score!)
»Meet with a credit counselor and receive ongoing support to help you reach your goals
6
»Meet with a personal financial consultant to
help develop savings and/or retirement plans
We hope to see you there!
Call 216-881-8443 for details!
Courtesy of the Maintenance/Customer Service Deptartments
If you live in a single family home, lawn maintenance,
including grass cutting, is your responsibility unless you
have a verifiable medical condition that would hinder
you from taking care of your yard. In this case, you
would be eligible for our monthly yard maintenance;
please contact your Property Manager.
» 2-Family Homes - the lease purchaser is
responsible for the yard care.
» Multi-family/vacant units - will be managed by
CHN lawn care contractors.
Please be advised that if the grass/lawn is not
maintained the City of Cleveland will issue a citation
and the resident will be charged the full amount of the
citation plus the cost of the contractor hired to cut
the lawn.
Please notify CHN of any water leaks right away. If
not reported in a timely manner a minor repair could
Ward Council Members
WARD COUNCIL MEMBER
1
Terrell H. Pruitt
2
Nate Wilkes
3
Zachary Reed
4
Kenneth L. Johnson
5
Phyllis Cleveland
6
Marnie J. Mitchell
7
T.J. Dow
8
Shari L. Cloud
9
Kevin Conwell
10
Eugene Miller
11
Michael D. Polensek
12
Anthony Brancatelli
13
Joe Cimperman
14
Joe Santiago
15
Brian J. Cummins
16
Kevin J. Kelley
17
Matthew Zone
18
Jay Westbrook
19
Dona Brady
20
Martin J. Sweeney
21
Martin J. Keane
PHONE
216-664-4944
216-664-4237
216-664-4945
216-664-4941
216-664-2309
216-664-4234
216-664-2908
216-664-4231
216-664-4252
216-664-4743
216-664-4236
216-664-4233
216-664-2691
216-664-3706
216-664-4238
216-664-2943
216-664-4235
216-664-4230
216-664-3708
216-664-2942
216-664-4239
become a major repair, and you could receive a
chargeback.
Please keep your yard free of trash and debris. Make
sure your garbage cans are equipped with tight-fitting
lids to avoid attracting rodents and other animals.
Change your furnace filters if you use a central air
conditioning unit, just as you do during the heating
season. Doing this will allow your furnace to operate
more efficiently.
WATER CONSERVATION TIPS
» Water your lawn during the cool parts of the day
(early morning and late evening). Do not water
your lawn on windy days. Following these tips will
reduce the amount of evaporation and allow you
to get the most out of your work.
» Put a layer of mulch around trees, bushes, and
flower beds, to retain moisture and reduce
weed growth.
Save energy! Make sure your windows have screens
installed. Opening your windows instead of utilizing your
air conditioning unit will result in a dramatic savings
on your electric bill. Shut your blinds during the day to
keep the heat out.
CHN currently accepts work order requests for rodent
exterminations (ex. rats, mice). We do not provide
extermination services for ants, spiders, centipedes,
bees, or other insects. Extreme cases that warrant this
service will be reviewed by management.
Your local hardware or home store will be able to
provide you with extermination supplies.
The Customer Service Department is available Mon. - Fri.
8:30am to 5:00pm at 574-7110. Residents can utilize this
number after hours for emergencies only. All requests
will be serviced in a timely manner.
7
Mexican Cornbread
Brought to you by Family Services
INGREDIENTS
2 boxes 1 can 1lb
1
1
1 cup
Jiffy cornbread mix
sweet or Mexican corn (drain)
ground beef
chopped onion
chopped green and/or red pepper
(if you don’t have Mexican corn)
shredded cheddar cheese
INSTRUCTIONS
1.
Mix Jiffy corn bread according to package directions and then drain corn.
2. Brown hamburger meat and chopped onion
(green/red pepper).
3. Drain off the liquid.
4. Add corn to the ground beef mix.
5. Pour half of jiffy mix batter in pan.
6. Layer the ground beef on top.
7. Next, put layer of grated cheese on top of ground beef.
8. Pour the rest of the batter on to the cheese.
9. Bake according to Jiffy directions.
10. Cool 5 minutes before slicing.
Can be served with salsa and sour cream
Nonprofit Org.
U.S. Postage
2999 Payne Avenue, Suite 306
Cleveland Ohio 44114
PAID
Cleveland, OH
Permit No. 2272