10/8/2015 HOUSING AUTHORITY Minutes

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At this time, Ms. Gunn read to the board from a prepared statement indicating the difficulties she has had since losing her MRVP voucher. Part of Ms. Gunn's statement was her admission that she made a mistake and would appreciate another chance. She stated she has nowhere to go and is afraid she will lose custody of her two children. The chair thanked Ms. Gunn for her honesty and courage in reading her statement. At this time, the chair asked Mrs. Botsford to review the housing authority's determination in terminating Ms. Gunn's assistance. Mrs. Botsford first pointed out a letter Ms. Gunn had turned in to the MHA office late in July in which she states that she did receive the hearing officer's decision on June 6. Ms. Gunn stated that she didn't receive it on the sixth; it was mailed on the sixth. Mrs. Botsford reiterated that her own statement says she received it on the sixth. Mrs. Botsford stated that there was quite a bit of history leading up to the decision and reviewed in detail Ms. Gunn's activity while on the program, which began in January 2014. Mrs. Botsford detailed three different instances in which Ms. Gunn received notification that her assistance would be terminated for violating her responsibilities and requirements under the MRVP program guidelines. Mrs. Botsford made the board aware that there are several steps that take place when making a determination to terminate assistance. There are informal, pre -termination hearings that are held. If there is a decision to terminate assistance following that, or following someone not appearing, the person receives a notice that their assistance will be terminated and their rights to a grievance hearing. If a grievance hearing is requested, our policy allows an Informal Settlement Conference with the Executive Director in the hopes of settling things without going to a grievance hearing. In Ms. Gunn's case this happened three times in the approximate year and 1/2 she was on the program. Following the third time, Mrs. Botsford decided to uphold the termination so it was forwarded to the Grievance Officer, Beverly Costa-Ciavola. She heard the case on May 11, 2015, considering both sides. On May 26, 2015, Ms. Costa-Ciavola issued her decision to the housing authority stating that Ms. Gunn had indeed violated the terms of the Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program. She went on to state that she felt Ms. Gunn wants to correct the violations and make good on her financial errors so her stipulation for continuing Ms. Gunn's assistance was that she contact the MHA within 14 days to make arrangements to submit updated verifications and to sign a repayment agreement. She further stipulated that all paperwork required must be submitted on time and not fraudulent. Her last stipulation was that repayment of monies owed to MHA must be repaid within time limits set by the MHA. As soon as we received the decision, Mrs. Botsford wrote a letter which was mailed to Ms. Gunn on June 2, 2015 (with a copy of the decision) advising her that she must contact Carol Mitchell no later than 2;30 PM on Tuesday, June 16 in order to provide updated verifications and sign a repayment agreement. She was advised that this was the final decision. Ms. Gunn did not contact Ms. Mitchell by June 16. Ms. Mitchell sent a letter to Ms. Gunn advising her that her participation was terminated under the MRVP. Mr. Laporte asked Mrs. Botsford what was the date on Ms. Mitchell's letter? Mrs. Botsford responded that it was June 17, 2015, Mrs. Botsford was then asked how much was owed by Ms. Gunn for failure to report her income changes. Mrs. Botsford responded $2,000.00. Mr. Laporte asked Ms. Gunn what the result of the landlord lease termination was. Ms. Gunn responded that she had a dog and had gotten rid of it, so that was the end of the issue. Mr. Halpern asked if she was up to date with her rent. Ms. Gunn responded that she was. Mr. Halpern asked if she was working. Ms. Gunn responded that she was. Attorney Wibby stated that Ms. Gunn has received a one-time assistance from the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe and that is now over. Mr. Laporte asked if there was any other assistance she could get from the Wampanoag Tribe. Ms. Gunn responded that there was not. Page 4 of 6