Montgomery County, Maryland the Housing Opportunity Commission distributes vouchers, rental…read moreassistance, etc., to residents who are eligible under HUD guidelines. The majority of the residents are people of color. These programs suppose to help empower residents with the opportunity to become independent from the rental assistance program. I signed up for programs however it is always an obstacle for HOC residential service staff. As I had reported this to the Executive management it seems that it is okay that they maintain residents under the program without the opportunity to be involved with the program offered by HUD.
In February 2023 I contacted HOC residential services by email to enroll in financial literacy program. Ms Butler set me up with Ms. Benning. Ms. Benning who is incharge of the financial literacy program lied that she contacted me and did not provide me with the email as proof. I signed up for the literacy class again on July 6, 2023, and as you read her email she lied again that she contacted me and sent a link for class on July 5, 2023There is no financial literacy class on July 5, 2023 [see attached]. HOC hires individuals to Ms. Benning who abuse program participants and HUD funding these programs.
Ms. Benning contacted me on August 8, 2023, so she can send me tools and asked for my address. I sent her my address and requested that she stop playing games and I am an adult [see attached]. She never sent me the tools for financial literacy classes. This is how unstable and abusive HOC staff members are towards residents who are black, low-income, disabled, and under other protected classes. The Commissioners on the HOC board was appointed by democratic politicians to ensure that the HOC program is running efficiently and effectively. Instead, HOC staff choose the abuse of power and authority over a HUD funded program.
Then there is another issue HOC has personalagainst me. I filed fair housing complaints against Housing Opportunity Commission regarding the Resident Advisory Board, HQS standards, threatening me about my housing, refusal of ADA accommodations, etc. Filing a fair housing complant it is against the law to retaliate against the person who filed. In 2011, several female black residents on a multifamily property wanted to start a tenants association under 24 CFR 100 supported by HUD. Montgomery County, Maryland do not want black people to assemble, meet or create an organization to improve or residents speak on their quality of life. I was threatened by the CEO of HOC move for starting a tenants association, I did not violate the lease. Residents are not allowed to freely come to speak on their quality of life issues at the Commissioner's meeting without asking permission from the CEO, is that democratic or oppression?
Twelve years later, after I filed my fair complaint finally HOC decided to comply to start a RAB. Residents need proper representation such as the Resident Advisory Board 24 CFR 964. HOC had the 1st voting by nternet for candidates in July 2023. I could not vote the website did not work and I am sure there are other residents. Residents should be included counting the voting ballot so it would not precieve that HOC staff interferred who they want to choose. There should have been some bylaws or guided procedures on who can vote, how many in a household, conflict of interest, etc. HUD wants tenant associations to be independently ran but HOC will run it and residents still will not have the proper representation they deserve.
After I brought the RAB voting and other issues to their attention I was sent an email from HOC that I filed an application to become a candidate in August 2023. This is a total fabrication, I sent an email indicating I was not interested in becoming a member of the RAB [see attached] but I have concerns. As I was formerly a commissioner and RAB president with the experience I inform HOC RAB the setup of the board within HUD guidelines, It seems RAB was set up more for the purpose of HOC staff not for the residents. I also requested diverse representation such a disabled, a male, and a senior citizen.
See attached documents for your review:
RAB Board and resources
https://files.hudexchange.info/resources/documents/PHA-Resident-Advisory-Boards-and-the-Housing-Authority-Plan-Process.pdf
964.11 HUD policy on tenant participation.
HUD promotes resident participation and the active involvement of residents in all aspects of a HA's overall mission and operation. Residents have a right to organize and elect a resident council to represent their interests. As long as proper procedures are followed, the HA shall recognize the duly elected resident council to participate fully through a working relationship with the HA.