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April 2022

Vol 1 Edition 4 - April 2022 Dickson Housing Authority Resident Edition More Than Just Housing

ATTENTION:

  • www.dicksonhousing.org
  • Rent Payments are being accepted on our website.
  • Get Involved! See the calendar for events.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

DHA News - 2
Maintenance - 2
Spring Break - 3
Resident Services - 3
Easter Activities - 4
April Calendar - 4
Recipes, Tips, etc. - 5-6


A Word From Our Executive Director

Residents, Easter is fast approaching and the weather is getting warmer and warmer. Please remember to watch out for our children as they will be outside more. Parents, please watch your children and remind them to not ride their bikes, scooters, skateboards, etc. in the
streets.
The children had a great week at the Community Center during Spring Break. We thank everyone who participated and allowed their children to participate. UT Extension, Ms. Heather, came, cooked with them, and taught them some healthy tricks when cooking. The Women's Club of Dickson also came and sponsored the children for a paint party. The kids enjoyed every minute of it.
If you have not had the chance to check out our website, please take the time to do so. We are now accepting rent payments and online applications. We encourage you to use these. We understand that this may be hard to adjust to and you may need help.
Please feel free to reach out to our office.
Our newsletters are being placed on the website and emailed. Only our elderly and disabled units will be getting a paper copy. If you have not given Tracy your email address, or if you are having trouble receiving them, please give her a call at 615.446.9766.

Happy Birthday to all of our April Birthdays!!

Sherry Lynch, Executive Director


It is getting warmer outside and the kids will be outside enjoying the sun. Please slow down and look out for the children.
Parents: Watch your children! Do not allow them to play in the street/parking lots. Encourage them to play smart and not take dangerous risks.


Maintenance Emergency

If you have an emergency and it's during office hours please call the office before calling maintenance.


DHA NEWS

  • Administrative Business: All business will be handled through the service window. If you are sick, please call our office instead of making a visit.
  • Website: Our website, www.dicksonhousing.org, now allows you to pay your rent online. You will need to create an account and password. If you need help, please contact our office. We will also have a kiosk set up in the office to walk you through the process.
  • Rent: If you choose not to pay your rent online, please remember that rent must be paid by check or money order and placed in dropbox. Do not put cash in dropbox.
  • Sickness: As a courtesy to our staff, please let us know if anyone in your household is sick.
  • Spread the Word: Applications are now being accepted on our website. The kiosk in the front lobby will also allow individuals to apply on-site.

Maintenance

  • Pets!! We are having a major issue with pet waste in the yards. If you have a pet, you signed a pet agreement that states that you are responsible for cleaning this up. Our staff does not want to step in waste and then track it into your apartment, our office, etc. If this continues to be a problem, pet fees will increase.
  • Leashes!! Your pets are to be on a leash when outside. If they are tethered, they MUST be supervised. When finished with the leash/chain, do not leave it on the ground. These can cause serious damage to mowers/weed eaters. If we pick it up, it will be discarded. DO NOT tether dog leashes, chains, etc. These can block walkways or paths and become a safety violation.
  • Close storm doors!! It's that time of the year again-windy season-Please do not leave storm doors propped open. The wind will damage the closer and you could be charged.
  • Trash Trailers!! We will be placing our dump trailer in various locations throughout the sites. Please take advantage of this opportunity to use the trailers to clean up around your unit.
  • There should be nothing stored outside of your unit other than lawn furniture and grills. Mattresses, old tires, bikes, toys, tarps, wagons, etc. should not be stored outside in the yard. Use your storage rooms or get rid of these items.
  • Call the office to request a work order. Please do not call maintenance directly with work order inquiries unless it is an emergency.
  • If something is not working properly - especially a leak, a soft floor, or plumbing - be sure to report that immediately before a minor repair becomes a major repair.

Dutch, Todd, and James


Spring Break 2022

two children holding up their easter paintings young boy mixing in a bowl a group of children holding up their artwork of easter eggs a woman and a young boy working together A young girl working on a craft child holding up a painting group of kids making crafts Kids with Crafts little boy with glasses doing a craft


Resident Services

  • Transportation will re-open beginning April 4th.
  • All riders will be required to wear masks the entire ride and temperatures will be taken before entering the van.
  • Store days will be on THURSDAYS - let me know if you will be going no later than 1 pm on Wednesday.
  • Any doctor's appointments must be made before 11 am. You must also let me know 24 hours in advance. I may not be able to take you at the last minute's notice.
  • As your Resident Services Coordinator, I am able to help with referrals and information for services such as community health programs, benefit programs, food distribution, educational opportunities, child care ...and much, much MORE! Feel free to contact me!!

Tracy Grigsby, AmeriCorps Member Resident Services Coordinator


Easter Activities

  • On April 14th we will be making Easter crafts in the meeting room at 3:30 pm. I would like to encourage everyone to get involved-allow your children to get involved. We will be making bunnies and bunny "bellies."
  • DHA's Egg Hunt will be held on April 16th at 11 am at the Community Center. We are hoping for an outside egg hunt, but if the weather does not cooperate we will be inside. We will stage two separate areas for ages 0-6 and 7-12. Please remember to bring your own Easter basket or bags to collect eggs. We will have HOSA from Dickson High School helping us once again. (Make sure you thank them.)
  • If anyone wants to come and help with any of the Easter activities, please let me know. We will be in the meeting room on the 11th and 12th after school stuffing eggs.

April 2022 Calendar

April Calendar - all content as listed below

April 14
Easter Craft - 3:30 PM

April 15 
Closed - No School

April 16
DHA Egg Hunt - 11 AM

April 17
Easter

April 18 
No School

April 21
Bingo - 1 PM

April 23
Soup for Souls

April 30
Community Health Fair (See Below)


12th Annual Community Health Fair

12th annual community health fair flyer - all content as listed below

Saturday, April 30, 2022
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

  • Dozens of healthcare professionals & companies
  • Free assessments and health care education
  • Door prizes, gift bags, and refreshments

Saint John
2300 Highway 96
Burn, TN 37029


Soup for Souls - Sponsored by New Beginnings of Dickson

Soup For Souls flyer - all content as listed below

Free Lunch - Join us for lunch

Saturday, April 23, 2022
11:30 to 12:30
Or until we run out

Dickson Housing Authority Community Center
Located on 1202 E. Walnut St. off of Highway 47 E. on the left before the Dickson County Fairgrounds
Dickson, TN 37055

We would love to see you... come for a free lunch!

Debbie Mitchell - 615.679.5628

New Beginnings of Dickson, Inc. - 615.375.1459


April's Recipe-Perfect Banana Pudding

Ingredients:
1 1/3 c. whole milk
1 (51 oz) pkg instant vanilla pudding mix
1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk
3 c heavy cream
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract 1 (12 oz) box vanilla wafer cookies
4 bananas, sliced into coins 2 tsp. sugar

  1. In a large bowl, combine milk, vanilla pudding mix, and sweetened condensed milk. Whisk thoroughly, breaking up lumps. Then refrigerate for 5 minutes or until set.
  2. In another bowl, combine heavy cream and vanilla. Beat until stiff peaks are formed (2-3 minutes) Set aside half of the mixture for topping the dish. Fold the remaining half into the pudding mixture.
  3. Cover the bottom of a 3-qt dish with vanilla wafers. Top with one-third of the pudding mixture. Cover with another layer of the cookies. Top with an even layer of banana slices. Continue laying the pudding, wafers, and banana slices until you reach the top, ending with a final layer of pudding.
  4. Refrigerate for at least 3 hours, or overnight.
  5. Sweeten the remaining whipped cream. Add sugar to the whipped cream, stirring to combine. Just before serving, dollop on top of the banana pudding, then sprinkle crumbled wafer cookies on top.

Paying Your Rent Online - RentPayment
Following these steps can help you learn to pay your rent online easier. These instructions are for those using a computer. Cell phones may look a little different.

  1. Go to our website - www.dicksonhousing.org. At the top of the page, you will see a purple button that says "Pay Online." Click that button and it will take you to the RentPayment page.
  2. You will see two options. 1-Login for Returning Users or 2-New Users/Set up Account. If you have not made an account you will need to choose the second option to set up your account.
  3. To create an account, it will ask for your name, name, address, email, phone, etc. It will also require you to make a username and password. Please write these down and keep them in a safe place for future references.
  4. After creating your account, you will see the "Home" page where your balance is visible on the right side of the screen. Locate the area that is labeled "Payment Method" in the middle of the page. You will have to decide how you want to make your payment. You can use your debit card, credit card, or connect your bank account for a draft payment. (WARNING: If you set up a payment from your debit card, you will be charged a fee of $4.95. However, you will not be charged a fee if you choose to have the money drafted automatically from your bank account.)
  5. Click the button labeled "Add Payment Method" This allows you to put in your debit/credit card
    information. If you choose to set up a draft from your bank account, you will choose the "E-Check" tab. This allows you to enter your bank account and routing numbers.
  6. If you choose to set up draft payments or autopay, please remember that it is your responsibility to make sure that the correct amount comes from your account. It is also your responsibility to keep up with your balance. If you set up your account for autopay, it is your responsibility to make sure that amount covers your utilities, trash fee, and pet fees, (if applicable) as well.

Container Gardening Tips

Container gardening is growing plants in pots, planters, tubs, half barrels, an old cowboy boot, or any other thing that can hold some potting soil and a plant. Basically, it is growing a plant in anything that's not a traditional in-the-ground garden plot. Flowers, vegetables, herbs, succulents, cacti, and even some dwarf trees can grow in pots and other types of containers. But what people are going crazy about right now is growing edible plants. Vegetables and herbs need six or more hours of sunlight a day. So, locating your pots and containers in a nice sunny location is one key to success. Plants also need water, so watering can and/or a hose is a must. Plants need to grow in good soil or potting mix. To get the best production from your garden plants, add some fertilizer. Some prefer organic fertilizer, but chemical fertilizers are also available. These can be purchased at hardware stores, garden centers, and home centers.

  • Clay pots are usually more attractive than plastic ones, but plastic pots retain moisture better and won't dry out as fast as unglazed terra-cotta ones. To get the best of both, slip a plastic pot into a slightly larger clay pot. Black pots absorb heat when they are sitting in the sun. 
  • Many plants grown in pots must be watered as often as twice a day. To keep plants adequately cool and moist during hot summer days, double-pot: Place a small pot inside a larger one and fill the space between them with sphagnum moss or crumpled newspaper. When watering the plant, also soak the filler between the pots. 
  • About 1 inch of coarse gravel in the bottom of containers to im- prove drainage.
  • Vegetables that can be easily transplanted are best suited for containers. Transplants can be purchased from local nurseries or started at home. 
  • Feed container plants at least twice a month with liquid fertilizer, following the instructions on the label.
  • Place containers where they will receive the maximum amount of sun.

When should I plant?

  • Asparagus - Mar 15 - Apr 15
  • Bean, bush, lima - May 10, June 15
  • Bean, bush, snap - Apr 25 - July 15
  • Beet - Apr 10 - July 15
  • Broccoli - Apr 10 - May 1, July 1-15
  • Cabbage - Apr 10 - July 15
  • Carrot - Apr 10 - July 15
  • Cauliflower - July 10-20
  • Chard - Apr 10 - June 1
  • Corn, sweet - May 1 - July 9
  • Cucumber - May 10 - June 15
  • Eggplant - May 10 - June 15
  • Endive - Apr 1 - May 1, July 1 - Aug 15
  • Garlic, from cloves - Mar 25 - Apr 15
  • Kale - Apr 1-30, July 1 - Aug 1
  • Rutabaga - May 1 - July 1
  • Spinach - Mar 25 - Apr 15, Aug 15-30
  • Squash, Summer - May 10 - June 15
  • Squash, Winter - May 20 - June 1
  • Sweet Potato - May 10 - June 1
  • Tomato - May 10 - June 1
  • Kale - Apr 1-30, July 1 - Aug 1
  • Kohlrabi - Mar 25 - Apr 5, Aug 1-10
  • Lettuce, leaf - Mar 25 - May 15, Aug 15 - Sept 15
  • Muskmelon - May 10 - June 15
  • Mustard - Apr 1 - May 10, Aug 15 - Sept 15
  • New Zealand, spinach - Apr 25 - June 15
  • Okra - May 10 - June 15
  • Onion, from seed - Mar 25 - Apr 15
  • Onion, from plants or sets - Mar 25 - May 1
  • Parsley - Apr 10 - May 1
  • Peas - Apr 10 - May 1
  • Pepper - May 10 - June 1
  • Potato - Apr 1-15, June 1-10
  • Pumpkin - May 20 - June 10
  • Radish, spring - Apr 5 - June 1, Aug 20-30
  • Radish, winter - Aug 1-15
  • Rhubarb - Mar 25 - May 15
  • Turnips - Mar 25 - Apr 15, Aug 1-15
  • Watermelons - May 10 - June 1

DICKSON HOUSING AUTHORITY
Sherry Lynch - Executive Director

Phone: 615.446.9371 & 615.446.4708

Fax: 615-441-1391

Email

The Dickson Housing Authority's mission is to provide safe, decent, and sanitary housing conditions for low-income families and to manage resources efficiently. The Dickson Housing Authority is to promote personal, economic, and social upward mobility to provide families the opportunity to make the transition from subsidized to non-subsidized housing.


FYI... Some Things Never Change!!

MAINTENANCE

Non-emergency maintenance issues should be reported to our office during business hours - 7:30 AM - 4:30 PM.

Maintenance Emergencies before/after business hours should be directed to maintenance directly. (See phone numbers listed on the front of each newsletter.)

Emergencies Include:

  • Suspecting Gas leaks
  • Water leaks may create a safety hazard or property damage.
  • No heat/air conditioning in concerning weather conditions.
  • Flooding
  • Any situation that may pose danger or property damage.

You will be charged a minimum of $40 for NON-emergency, after-hour calls.


RENT

Rent is due on the 1st of each month.

A $25 late fee will be applied if rent is not paid by 4:30 pm on the 10th.

If rent is not paid by the 15th, an eviction is issued.

Residents are required to report all income changes within 10 days of the change.

Please discuss all income adjustments, changes in the household, employment changes, etc. with Tosha Curtis, Public Housing Manager.


CHARGES

  • Trash Collection $10
  • Key Replacement $10
  • Locks Changed $25
  • Lock Out Charge
    • After Hours $40
  • Disabling Smoke Detectors $50 each
  • Monthly Pet Fee $10
  • Pet Deposit $300
  • Maintenance Labor
    • Rate During Hours $23.84 Hr
    • Rate After Hours $40.00 Hr