HUD - KNOW YOUR RIGHTS

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HUD: CHATEAU DU LAC IS AFFORDABLE SENIOR HOUSING.

HRTA is not being 'creative' ... YOU have the right to explore this public information.

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HUD REFERENCES: http://www.hud.gov/

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RESIDENT'S RIGHTS (including the rights to organize): http://www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/mfh/gendocs/mfhrrr.pdf

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GLOSSARY [4350.3 REV-1]: http://www.hud.gov/offices/adm/hudclips/handbooks/hsgh/4350.3/43503glrHSGH.pdf

NOTE: SOME DISABILITITIES & CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES/OFFENDERS ARE "INELGIBLE" FOR PUBLIC HOUSING

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LOUISIANA PUBLIC INFORMATION (HUD) is not available to the public-

http://www.ag.state.la.us/publications/landlord.htm

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MANAGER'S PROCEDURE MANUAL: http://www.hud.gov/offices/pih/programs/ph/mtw/housingmanpro_pha.pdf

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STANDARD INSPECTION FORM: http://www.hud.gov/offices/cpd/affordablehousing/library/forms/hqschecklist.pdf

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OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL (OIG): http://www.hud.gov/offices/oig/hotline/index.cfm

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FAIR HOUSING :

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SENIOR HOUSING (PUBLIC or PRIVATE): http://www.hud.gov/offices/fheo/seniors/index.cfm

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HOPA (HOUSING FOR OLDER PERSONS ACT - 1995): http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=104_cong_public_laws&docid=f:publ76.104.pdf

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HOPA (QUESTIONS & ANSWERS):

http://www.hud.gov/offices/fheo/library/hopa95.pdf

I.E. Question 44 . . . How does the Fair Housing Amendments Act senior housing, exemption, and HOPA, affect eligibility requirements for federally funded housing programs.

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Answer: The Act and HOPA do not affect statutory or regulatory provisions of federally assisted housing programs. For example, neither HOPA nor the Act change the definition of "elderly family"' in federally assisted housing programs. HOPA does not permit a HUD funded public housing provider to designate a project as an "elderly project" without HUD review and approval as mandated by existing regulations. HUD funded housing that is designated as elderly housing may not, because of HOPA, admit households that are not statutorily eligible for the housing. No public housing development that is not designated as an elderly development by statute or program regulation may exclude families with children even if at least 80% of the units are occupied by at least one person age 55 or older. Federally assisted housing providers should continue look to existing program statutory and regulatory requirements to determine tenancy of those

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2005 - HURRICANES KATRINA & RITA DISASTERS IMPACT ON SENIOR HOUSING ( A TEMPORARY FIX???):

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HURRICANE 'EVACUEES':

http://www.hud.gov/offices/fheo/library/HOPA-HurricaneQnAs.pdf

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ADA (1990):

http://www.ada.gov/pubs/adastatute08.htm

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ILLEGAL USE OF DRUGS:

http://www.ada.gov/pubs/adastatute08.htm#12210
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ELECTRONIC CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATION:

http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&sid=da0cb62eed900f3249edbb81af304f1a&rgn=div5&view=text&node=24:1.2.1.1.1&idno=24#PartTop

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FAIR HOUSING POSTER MUST BE POSTED:

http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr;sid=f3d2573ccc7f4b38db26412f73864511;rgn=div5;view=text;node=24%3A1.2.1.1.6;idno=24;cc=ecfr#24:1.2.1.1.6.2

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AGENCY CERTIFICATION:

http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr;sid=f3d2573ccc7f4b38db26412f73864511;rgn=div5;view=text;node=24%3A1.2.1.1.7;idno=24;cc=ecfr#24:1.2.1.1.7.2.97.1

also see: § 115.306 Training funds. (a) All agencies, including agencies that receive CB funds, are eligible to receive training funds. Training funds are fixed amounts based on the number of agency employees to be trained. Training funds shall be allocated based on the FHAP appropriation. Training funds may be used only for HUD-approved or HUD-sponsored training. Agency-initiated training or other formalized training may be included in this category. However, such training must first be approved by the CAO and the GTR. Specifics on the amount of training funds that an agency will receive and, if applicable, amounts that may be deducted, will be set out in the cooperative agreement each year. (b) Each agency must send staff to mandatory FHAP training sponsored by HUD, including, but not necessarily limited to, the National Fair Housing Training Academy and the National Fair Housing Policy Conference. If the agency does not participate in mandatory HUD-approved and HUD-sponsored training, training funds will be deducted from the agency's overall training amount. All staff of the agency responsible for the administration and enforcement of the fair housing law must participate in HUD-approved or HUD-sponsored training each year.

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ALL 2010 ELECTIONS - VOTER INFORMATION

Your voting location is Chateau du Lac - REC ROOM
2009 ELECTIONS ...

OCTOBER 2, 2010 (Open Primary) - Early voting: 9/18 - 9/25

NOVEMBER 2, 2010

6:00 A.M. - 8:00 P.M.
REC ROOM

Your precinct is 302

... BRING YOUR LOUISIANA STATE ID

CANNOT READ ... DON'T UNDERSTAND ...

IF YOU SHOULD NEED ASSISTANCE IN VOTING, GO TO THE VOTER'S REGISTRATION OFFICE TO BE APPROVED.

Early Voting in Person
No reason is necessary in order to vote early in person. Early voting in person takes place 7 to 14 days before an election at your local registrar’s office and in additional sites in some parishes.
Contact your registrar for locations. If you vote during early voting in person, you may not vote at the polls on Election Day.
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Early voting hours are 8:30 am – 6:00 pm. Voting is conducted on an electronic voting system or may be conducted by paper ballot.
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All early voting machines are audio accessible and can be lowered to accommodate a person in a wheelchair.

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INFO ABOUT ELECTIONS: GO TO .... LA.GOV ... SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE

VOTER'S INFORMATION

ELECTION ... 125 VOTED ON APRIL 4

6:00 A.M. - 8:00 P.M.

REC ROOM

LOUISIANA SECRETARY OF STATE :

http://sos.louisiana.gov

ELECTED OFFICIALS:

LAKE CHARLES CITY MAYOR ... RANDY ROACH

LAKE CHARLES CITY COUNCIL (DISTRICT A) ... MARSHALL SEMIEN

CONGRESSMAN CHARLES BOUSTANY, M.D. (7TH DISTRICT)

RENTER'S INSURANCE WORKSHOP - MARCH 31

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MARCH 31, 2009

2:30 P.M.

REC ROOM

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KPLCTV EXPERT: RAYMOND M. FONDEL JR. *

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EXLORING RENTER'S INSURANCE & RECOVERING AFTER LOSSES FROM:

• THEFT
• FIRE
• WATER
• STORM
• EVACUATION EXPENSES

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* Mr. Fondel is also a candidate for Lake Charles City Council - District A. However, by invitation of HRTA, he was asked to do a presentation on affordable options for low income renters.

If you need additional explanations or are interested in getting a policy, Mr. Fondel can be contacted at 337-433-6363.

EMAIL: RFONDEL@ALLSTATE.COM

FOR TRASH & BUTTS

KUDOS TO MANAGEMENT:

'Flower Urns' have been removed and replaced by the proper receptacles ... FOR YOUR TRASH ... FOR YOUR BUTTS. Respectfully, please use them for what they were intended ... to assist in keeping our COMMON AREAS as clean as possible.

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The trash cans are not a depository for HOUSEHOLD GARBAGE ... USE THE TRASH CHUTES.

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BUTT RECEPTACLES are to eliminate setting the trash on fire and to eliminate unnecessary litter.

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Our FLOWER URNS will be used later in the spring for our BEAUTIFICATION PROJECT.

FIRE SAFETY WORKSHOP # 1, # 2

APRIL 15, 2009 WORKSHOP II ... WEDNESDAY, 3:00 P.M.

(updates from WORKSHOP I)

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MARCH 4, 2009:
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Facilitator: Wayne Rigmaiden

Lake Charles Fire Department

Fire Prevention Bureau

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ALWAYS RESPOND TO ALARMS ... EVACUATE

PREFERRED EXIT: STAIRS NEXT TO ELEVATOR

... REAR EXIT (NORTH SIDE OF BUILDING)

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OTHER DISCUSSIONS:

LACK OF FIRE EXTINGUISHERS IN UNITS

IDENTIFYING & ASSISTING DISABLED RESIDENTS TO EVACUATE

• MOBILITY IMPAIRED - Elderly, Walkers, Scooters, Wheel Chairs, Bedridden Residents

• HEARING/SPEECH IMPAIRED - No 'flashing alarms'

• LEGALLY BLIND -

• OXYGEN DEPENDENT - DO NOT CUT OFF OXYGEN SUPPLIES ... EVACUATE WITH PORTABLE UNITS

SUGGESTIONS: MARKING OF UNITS WITH UNIVERSAL HANDICAPPED SIGNS

MONTHLY MEETINGS

HRTA

MONTHLY MEETINGS

SECOND TUESDAY

NEXT: APRIL 14, 2009

3:00 P.M.

REC ROOM

PROPOSED BY-LAWS & ELECTION OF OFFICERS

HIGH RISERS TENANT ASSOCIATION PROPOSED BYLAWS –
BY MINNIE SWEET-GOINGS (800) & JAMES DOXEY (602), ORGANIZERS
Sunday, January 18, 2009

ROUGH DRAFT (a BASE) TO BE SUBMITTED TO DOUG LAIRD and ROBERT MC MARON (EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE APPOINTEES)

ARTICLE I Name

The name of the NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION shall be the HIGH RISERS TENANT ASSOCIATION a.k.a. HRTA.

ARTICLE II Identity

The formation of the HIGH RISERS TENANT ASSOCIATION is a recommendation within the RULES & REGULATIONS of HOUSING and URBAN DEVELOPMENT (HUD – A U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCY) and its counter parts within: FAIR HOUSING ACT, AMERICAN DISABILITES ACT (ADA), and HOUSING for OLDER PEOPLE ACT (HOPA).


ARTICLE III Purpose

Representing the TENANTS of the CHATEAU du LAC SENIOR COMPLEX at 333 Mill Street, Lake Charles, Louisiana - 70601, the HIGH RISERS TENANT ASSOCIATION was founded to address improving the QUALITY OF LIFE by 1) getting ALL TENANTS involved into improving living conditions at the Chateau du Lac Senior Complex; 2) developing a working relationship with Management and the Lake Charles Housing Authority; 3) to help fellow tenants in addressing varying ISSUES; 4) to develop lifestyles with various activities to enjoy the total spaces; and, 5) to address ISSUES OF COMPLIANCE WITH FEDERAL GUIDELINES as defined by HUD and THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS.


ARTICLE IV Officers (as defined by ROBERT RULES OF ORDER: SECTIONS 58-62)
(Qualifying Criteria, Terms, Duties and Responsibilities)

CHAIR.
VICE CHAIR.
SECRETARY.
TREASURER.
SARGENT-at-ARMS.
PARLIMENTARIAN.


ARTICLE V Committees

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE – shall include the ORGANIZERS, Officers and the drafters of the by-laws. Their duties will be to make governing decisions ON BEHALF of the Association.
STANDING COMMITTEES – shall include annual appointments by the Chair in handling the necessary functions of the Association. (Finance,
AD HOC COMMITTEES – shall be designated appointments to perform special task (s).

ARTICLE VI Members

All primary residents (leaseholders) shall be deemed as a “MEMBER” of the HIGH RISERS TENANT ASSOCIATION.

EXCLUSIONS: EMPLOYEES who resides on/off the premises. “CARE GIVERS” or NON-RESIDENTS may attend meetings; but, not actively participate without CONSENT or INVITATION to appear on the AGENDA.
ARTICLE VII Meetings

MEETINGS shall be held 2nd TUESDAY, 3:00 P.M. MONTHLY. An AGENDA can be presented; but, residents can more actively participate if/ when meetings are held as INFORMAL DISCUSSIONS. The HIGH RISERS’ GAZETTE is a follow-up monthly newsletter that summarizes the information & resources discussed in meetings.


ARTICLE VIII Elections

ANNUAL ELECTIONS. The CHAIR shall establish an Ad Hoc NOMINATING COMMITTEE to collect and to ‘qualify’ all nominees for elected positions. They shall submit their findings to the EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE at least 45 days prior to an election. The EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE will post a BALLOT for review at least 15 days before the ELECTION is held in the month of May (annually). Terms will begin July 1 and serve across the transition into the next FISCAL YEAR.

SPECIAL ELECTIONS shall ONLY be held to fill the rank of an OFFICER who cannot actively perform his/her duties.


ARTICLE VIX Fiscal/Financial

The FISCAL YEAR will end JUNE 1, ANNUALLY.

In lieu of ASSOCATION DUES, the organizers established the HIGH RISERS CAFÉ as a non-profit FUNDRAISING venue to generate operational funds; to support continued activities; to subsidize improvement projects; and, to provide events and entertainment. As a NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION, the Association shall make all financial reports available for the purpose of accountability.

MARDI GRAS AT THE HIGH RISE (Pictorial)

HRTA: 2009 - FIRST ANNUAL EVENT
(Double click on either pix to view FULL SCREEN)

JUANITA & MISS THERESA

MARIE

DIANE DOTSON, MISS T, MISS AUDREY

VISITORS: MRS SWEET, MRS. SILAS

MISS IRENE

MARCY

PATRICK

JANICE

MISS HILDA

MISS VELMA

'POP' ROLAND ... CHARLOTTE

MISS MABEL

JUANITA & MR. ERNEST

JIM ... MISS MOSS & CAREGIVER

MISS PEARL

MARGIT

JUDY A.

To see KWEWE de CLASSIQUE & KWEWE EXTRAORDINAIRE

click here ---- > more pictures

WELCOME HIGH RISERS

AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR THE ELDERLY

333 Mill Street

Lake Charles, LA 70601

. . . A COMMUNITY WITHIN EIGHT (8) FLOORS

This web site is especially created for us/by us in our quest to improve the quality of life where we live.

TIMELINE:

AUGUST, 2008: We formed the HIGH RISERS TENANT ASSOCIATION (HRTA). Following guidelines set by HUD, our first meeting attracted 72 of the 198
residents. Meetings are now held the SECOND TUESDAY - 3:00 P.M. in the Recreation Room (1st floor).

HRTA FOUNDERS: Minnie Sweet-Goings & James Doxey

SEPTEMBER, 2008: We began publishing our first monthly newsletter:

OCTOBER, 2008: We opened the HIGH RISERS CAFE as a fundraising venue for HRTA.

MARCH, 2009: HRTA successfully held its FIRST ANNUAL EVENT: "MARDI GRAS AT THE HIGH RISE".

MARCH, 2009: HRTA creates it own web site: HIGHRISERS.BLOGSPOT.COM. NOW ... Select and watch VIDEO CLIPS of your favorite music _ with a simple 'click'. Yes ... you can download from this site; but, it is much easier and quicker to download directly for the source. Click on the artist name below the clip & make your selection (s).