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January 2023

Dickson Housing Authority: Resident Edition.

Dickson Housing Authority - Resident Edition - Vol. 2 | Edition 1
January 2023


Special Points of Interest: 

  • DHA Calendar of Events
  • Maintenance and Resident Service
  • Did you know......

A Word From Our Executive Director

Hello Residents,

Happy New Year!! It's 2023!! I hope that everyone had a great Christmas with their loved ones.

We had a busy month in December, but it's time to make new plans for 2023. If anyone has any ideas for upcoming events, please let Tracy know. Anyone love to cook or craft and wouldn't mind teaching a class? Anyone want to speak on a topic such as domestic violence, health awareness, mental health, parenting, cleaning tips, money-saving tips, etc? Please let Tracy know. We really want to get our residents involved this year.

Please remember that if something is broken or not working correctly in your unit to call the office and make a work order as soon as possible. We don't want a small problem to become a bigger problem over time.

If you haven't done so already, please join the DHA Resident Services Facebook page for upcoming information, last-minute changes, and community events.

And as always....Let's Get Involved!!

Sincerely Sherry Lynch, Executive Director

Happy New Year is written above some party confetti.


Maintenance Emergency

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


Inside This Issue:

  • Letter from the Director
  • DHA News
  • Maintenance
  • Calendar
  • Resident Services
  • Event Photos
  • Did You Know...
  • Some Things... 

DHA News 

  • Rent: We encourage all residents to use the online rent portal for rent payments. To access the portal, visit our website DicksonHousing.org and click on "Pay Online" You will have to create an account, if you haven't already. Got questions or need help, please contact our office.
  • Facebook!! We would also like to encourage everyone who has not done so to join our resident facebook page: DHA Resident Services. This page will give you updates, cancelations, community announcements, and more.
  • No Smoking!! There should be absolutely no smoking inside your unit.
  • Covid Rent Relief: The Covid Rent Relief payments are intended for rent payments only. All residents should continue paying utilities and any other fees due, as usual.
  • Roaches and Bed Bugs: If you suspect that you have roaches and/or bedbugs, it is extremely important that you let us know immediately. The longer this goes untreated, the harder it will be to get under control. Get in the habit of inspecting your beds, furniture, and curtains frequently. Do Not Bring Used Furniture, Clothing, and Other Items Into Your Unit.
  • 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. If this continues to be a problem, pet fees will increase.
  • There is to be NO parking in the yard whatsoever.

Maintenance

  • Trash!! If your trash does not fit in your trash can, Do Not set it on the ground. Cumberland Disposal will not pick it up. Do not store trash on your porches. If it doesn't fit, take it to one of the city trash receptacles.
  • Outside of Units!! There should be NOTHING stored outside of your unit other than lawn furniture and grills. Mattresses, old tires, bikes, toys, tarps, wagons, trash, etc., should not be stored on the porch or in the yard. Use your storage rooms or get rid of these items. Any trash on the ground around your unit is YOUR trash-Please pick it up.
  • Leashes!! When your pet is outside, they are to be on a leash at all times. They ARE NOT to be tethered and left outside. You must stay with them. When tethered, make sure that neither the leash nor your pet will be able to cross over walkways, stairs, sidewalks, etc. 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.
  • Plants!! If you have planted any garden plants, shrubs, flowers, etc., that are annuals, remove them once they have died out. If you have perennials, keep them weeded and cleared up, or they will be removed. All trees, shrubs, and bushes must be planted more than 2 feet from any unit, or they will be removed due to potential damages done by root infiltration.
  • Yard Decorations!! Yard decorations - solar lights, statues, large stones, etc. - are no longer allowed in the yard.
  • Heat!! If your heat stops working or is having issues, please Contact Our Office during business hours (7:30 AM-4:30 PM). If it is before/after business hours emergency, please contact maintenance directly: 615.417.0813 or 615.351.5173.

January 2023 calendar, with all information as listed below.

January 2
CLOSED

January 4
Back to School

January 16
CLOSED - MLK Day

January 19
Bingo

January 26-27
After School Fun Day - 3:30 - 5 PM

January 28
Soup for Souls

January 31
Resident Association Meeting - 1 PM


DONATIONS NEEDED: For some of our activities and events at the Community Center, we depend on donations. If you would like to donate, please contact Tracy or drop off items at the Community Center. Our current WISH LIST is:

  • Plastic Tablecloths for crafts and events - cheap throw away ones from Dollar Tree
  • Disposable Plates - any kind, paper or Styrofoam
  • Colored Printing Paper

Resident Services

  • Welcome to 2023!!! Let's make a difference this year. We will have lots of projects that we can do throughout the community when the weather warms up. If anyone has any new ideas, suggestions or would like to volunteer for any events, please get in touch with me.
  • Store Days will continue to be every Thursday 8-11 AM. Rides must be requested no later than 24 hours in advance.
  • Please note that changes can be made pretty quickly. Stay connected to our Facebook page, DHA Resident Services,  for any last-minute time changes, cancellations, or announcements.
  • ALL riders MUST wear masks while inside the van. Please put the mask on BEFORE you enter the van AND wear them correctly. If you are sick, be honest and let me know.
  • Any doctor's appointments must be made before 11 am and must be in Dickson.
  • 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

AmeriCorps logo and Community Care logo.


We must have a current registration for each vehicle parked on the premises. If you get a new car or have not registered your vehicle, please file your registration with the office immediately. When you bring in your registration, you will get a parking permit.

All parking passes must be clearly visible in your vehicle while on the property or risk the possibility of your vehicle towed at your expense.

Also, remember if you no longer have a vehicle that has been registered with us, let us know so that we can remove it from our records.


A tiny colorful winter hat rest in someones hand.

Tracy crocheted these winter hats with love for our elderly and disabled residents. Some were delayed getting out because of the weather and sickness. We hope that everyone enjoyed these small gifts of love!!


Reminder Lease Violations

  • PET POLICY: Residents are reminded that there are pet policies and procedures that must be completed before you can have an animal at your apartment - whether they are a pet or you are requesting a support animal. ALL animals must be approved by the Housing Authority before they can be at your apartment. Visiting pets are NOT allowed on the property.
  • UNAUTHORIZED GUESTS: We continue to find some residents allowing unauthorized guests to live with them. Residents are allowed guests 3 nights per year, and upon approval, you may request up to a maximum of 14 days per year. If they are not on your lease, then they are unauthorized to live here. If you want someone to live with you, you must add them to your lease.
  • INCOME CHANGES: It is very important to report all changes in family composition and income, in writing, to the office within 10 days of the change. For example, report a job as soon as you obtain it - do not wait until you receive your first check. Waiting will result in less than a 30-day notice of any increases and may result in owing back rent in addition to your regular rental payment.

December Fun!
Crafts, Movies, Food, & Fun

Various images of DHA youth residents participating in December/Christmas themed crafts and other fun.


Cold Weather Precautions

When temperatures are below freezing for an extended period of time or extremely cold for short periods, water lines could freeze. In an effort to prevent frozen water lines, please take the following precautions:

  • Open your kitchen cabinet doors below the sink. This allows warm air to enter and helps keep pipes from freezing.
  • Allow a small stream of water to run through your kitchen faucet at night. A constant flow of water will help prevent freezing.
  • Do not open your faucet all the way. A small stream is all that is needed.
  • Make sure water hoses are not connected to the outside spickets. If outside faucets freeze because a water hose has been left connected, you could be charged for repairs.

Winter Saving Tips

  • Change or clean heating and air-conditioning filters every month. Dirty filters put an unnecessary strain on the unit and can increase operating costs.
  • During winter months, open your shades and let in the warm sunshine.
  • Check air handler and ductwork for leaks and weather-strip or caulk around windows, doors, plumbing, and other gaps so that heat won't escape.
  • In the winter, set your thermostat at 68 degrees and wear warm clothing. When you leave, turn it down a few degrees to save a little on your gas bill.
  • Make sure your electronic gadgets don't suck your wallet dry! Many TVs, DVD players, cell phone chargers, power adapters, computers, and other electronics use vampire power or standby power, even when they're turned off. Although individually, these devices typically draw only a very small amount of power, together, it adds up, especially when left plugged in 24 hours a day, seven days a week. To combat these energy vampires and reduce your consumption, unplug the appliances when not in use. Using a surge protector with multiple sockets will allow you to turn off multiple devices with one switch.

Martin Luther King, Jr.

The third Monday of January has been dedicated to honor the birth, life, and dream of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. As a Federal holiday, schools, libraries, federal and state offices, post offices, and many private businesses close in his honor. Martin Luther King Day is the only national holiday designated as a "day of service" to encourage Americans to volunteer in their communities. January 18, 2021, will be a time to remember the fight Dr. King fought for freedom, equality, and dignity for all races.

Interesting fact: King was born on January 15, 1929. The last time Martin Luther King Day fell on his birth-day was in 2007. It won't happen again until 2019.

Dr. King was known as an American clergyman and civil-rights leader. He became minister of the Dexter Ave. Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama in 1954. In 1956, he led the boycott that gained victory in desegregating the city bus lines. He also organized the Southern Christian Leadership Conference-a base used to organize civil-rights activities nationwide. In 1963, King organized a protest in Birmingham, Alabama that resulted in more than 200,000 people marching on Washington, where he gave his famous "I Have A Dream" speech. In 1968, his plans for "Poor People's March to Washington" were interrupted for a trip to Memphis to support sanitation workers who had gone on strike. During that trip, on April 4, 1986, Dr. King was shot and killed as he stood on the balcony of his hotel room at Lorraine Motel.

Four days after his assassination, Representative John Conyers presented legislation to make Martin Luther King, Jr. Day a holiday. It was slowly adopted by the states to become a state-recognized holiday, beginning with Illinois in 1973. Nationally, the bill to establish the holiday was sponsored by Senator Ted Kennedy and was passed by the Senate in October of 1983. A month later, President Reagan signed it and set the day for the third Monday of every January.

Interesting Fact: The famous musician Stevie Wonder was a strong supporter of the movement to make Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday a national holiday. In 1981, he wrote and released one of his most popular songs 'Happy Birthday' to highlight the cause.

"We must develop and maintain the capacity to forgive. He who is devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power to love. There is some good in the worst of us and some evil in the best of us. When we discover this, we are less prone to hate our enemies." - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Martin Luther King, Jr. looks off into the distance while resting his head in his hand.


DHA Community Center Gym

  • 8-11 AM Walking
  • 1-3 Adult Free Play
  • 3-4 Youth Free Play

If school is on a scheduled break, the Free Playtime is reversed for Adults and Youth.

Masks ARE Recommended!

(Be Aware That Changes May Occur At Any Time)


Dickson Housing Authority
Sherry Lynch - Executive Director

Phone: 615.446.9371 & 615.446.4708
Fax: 615.441.1391
Email Dickson Housing 

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 that 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
  • Maintenance Labor Rate (After Hours) $40 Hr