Volume 20, Number 2 • Summer 2016 News - Johnson City Housing Authority

News from the Executive Director

Volume 20, Number 2 • Summer 2016

-Richard McClain, Executive Director

Inside This Issue: Executive Director 1

Modernization & Inspection 2

Physical Services 2

Admissions & Occupancy 2

Groundbreaking Celebraion 3

Spring Health Fair 4

Medical Clinic Hours 4

Insurance Assistance 4

Community Cares Program 5

Resident Services Letter 5

Head Start Registration 5

Resident Council Elections 6

Community Policing 6

JCHA Website 7

Food Distributions 7

JC Community Events 7

Homes for Youth Picnic 8

Single Parents Dinner 8

National Night Out 8

We hope all our residents are well and enjoying this summer season. In this newsletter we have provided information

about the recent events of the Johnson City Housing Authority and highlighted many of the services that we partner with agencies in our community to provide.

We were thrilled to host a groundbreaking celebration at the Baker Street property. This special project will provide affordable housing to youth aging out of foster care as well as homeless veterans. Please see page 3 to read more about our exciting progress.

Thank you to each resident who attended the Spring Health Fair. We appriciate the Resident Services staff who work so hard to host events that enrich the lives of our tenants. Our partners who sponsored informational booths at the Health Fair are listed on page 4.

Featured on the cover of this edition is a picture from the Second Harvest Mobile Food Pantry Distribution. The Department of Resident Services also delivers food boxes each month to our tenants. If these services could be of help to your family, please see page 7 for more information about distribution times and locations. This is also a great program for residents to volunteer through and make a difference in our community.

Remember, you can also learn more about the Housing Authority and upcoming events by visiting our website at www.jchousing.org.

2 Johnson City Housing Authority

Central Administrative Offi ces901 Pardee Street, PO Box 59Johnson City, TN 37605-0059

Administrative offi ce 423-232-4784fax 423-232-4789

TDD: 1-800-545-1833 Ext. 762Physical Services/24-hour Emergency:

423-232-4780

HVAC Unit InstalationsNew HVAC units are continuing to be installed at the Lake Terrace Development. Work is underway at two units located on Mint HIll and nine additional units are scheduled for installation later this summer. Forty eight units have been completed including all units located on Stone and Sandy Drive. All remaining units will be completed this fall.

Updates from Modernization and Inspection

Public Housing InspectionsPublic Housing inspections are going well this year. Inspections have been completed on 567 units with the majority receiving a passing assessment or only needing minimum repairs. We ask that all residents keep their units clean and orderly. Please remember to keep your smoke alarm connected at all times.

Community DevelopmentThe Johnson City Housing Authority through an agreement with the City of Johnson City, has assumed the administration of the Community Development Block Grant, HOME Program, and the Emergency Solutions Program. This will be a function within the Modernization & Inspections Department and administered by Sherry Trent. JCHA coordinates federal, state, and local resources to implement housing rehabilitation, homeownership, homeless shelters, and other housing development activities. In addition, funds may also include fair housing activities, park expansion and development in low and moderate income neighborhoods, economic development activities, assistance with community facility improvements for the handicapped, and community support services for the at-risk population.

Reminders from Physical ServicesPlease remember to keep your yard clean during mowing season. This includes removing all toys, bikes,

and other items so that our mowing crews can perform their duties without having to stop. Also keep all fl ower beds clean with a border to surround them. Do you enjoy working outside or would like to learn more about landscaping? Anyone wishing to

volunteer can contact Tim Willis at 423-232-4780. Working with our Physical Services Department is a great way to earn community service hours and to help make your neighborhood beautiful!

Admissions and Occupancy ChangesAdmissions and Occupancy Department RestructureThe JCHA Department of Admissions and Occupancy would like to notify residents of a couple of adjustments being made in the department. As of August 1, 2016, Occupancy Specialist Stephanie Myers will be responsible for all Public Housing recertifi cations (annual and interim). Anita Torbett, Occupancy Specialist, will be responsible for all Housing Choice Voucher recertifi cations (annual and interim).

Earned Income Disallowance ChangeHUD’s Earned Income Disallowance (EID) provides that a qualifying Public Housing tenant will receive a scheduled deferment of their rent increase resulting from a new source of income. This assistance provides an incentive for previously unemployed tenants to seek employment.Under the original EID rule, each household member had an opportunity to use the income disregard during a one-time 48 month window for a qualifying income change. The one-time 48 month window has been reduced to a one-time 24 month window so that the individual 12 month disregard periods must be used continuously. The new EID rule applies to any family member starting EID for the fi rst time with qualifying new income that occurs on or after May 8, 2016. Any family member who has EID qualifying new income with an eff ective date prior to May 8, 2016 will participate in EID under the terms of the old rule. If you have any questions about the new EID rule, please contact Stephanie Myers at 423-232-4784 or visit the JCHA Main Administrative Offi ce.

jchousing.org

Resident Reporter • Summer 2016

Keystone Development Breaks Ground!

Keystone Development, Inc. moved one step closer to providing aff ordable housing for former foster children and homeless veterans by breaking ground Wednesday [May 4th, 2016] afternoon on a new apartment complex in Johnson City. Located on property purchased by Keystone in the King Springs area, the two-phase project will provide 24 supportive housing units for both individuals and families.

The initial phase of construction will use a $500,000 Housing Trust Fund grant from the Tennessee Housing Development Agency (THDA) to help build a dozen units for teens aging out of foster care and veterans battling homelessness. The THDA grant will be matched by funding from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati,

Bank of Tennessee and the Johnson City Housing Authority.Six of the fi rst 12 apartment units are designated for young adults ages 18-24 who have aged out of the state’s foster

care system. The remaining apartments will be used to house homeless veterans participating in the Mountain Home Veteran’s Aff airs Hospital’s HUD-VASH voucher program, as well as the elderly and those with disabilities. Residents of the Baker Street apartments who were formerly in foster care will also have access to supportive services provided by Youth Villages and the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services. The Mountain Home Veteran’s Administration will provide support for veteran’s living in the apartments.

THDA Executive Director Ralph M. Perrey said the project is aligned closely with THDA’s eff orts to provide more housing opportunities for teenagers leaving the foster care system. “When teenagers leave foster care, we fi nd that many times the diff erence between them being successful or not is having access to safe, aff ordable housing,” said Perrey. “This is a project that we at THDA hope serves as an example for others looking to help address this issue where they live.”

Johnson City Mayor Clayton Stout also delivered brief remarks during the ceremony. Offi cials with Keystone Development said the project will help meet the need for more aff ordable housing options for two groups of individuals that greatly need it.

“Keystone Development created a Homes for Youth program in 2013 and we are excited to expand the partnership with the Department of Children’s Services and Youth Villages with this new housing opportunity as well as to continue a great relationship with the Veteran Aff airs Supportive Housing (VASH) program,” Keystone Development President Richard McClain said. “We look forward to meeting the needs of our community with this new development.”

Each of the 12 units being constructed in phase one of the project will have one bedroom and measure 750 sq. ft. McClain said JCHA’s non-profi t development subsidiary, Keystone Development, Inc., expects to begin in the near future. “We purchased the property in early 2015 and removed four deteriorated houses from it to get to this point,” McClain said. “Construction is targeted to begin in June 2016 and we expect it to be completed by late 2017.”

The project is one of three similar projects in the state that have received grant funding from THDA. The Housing Trust Fund (HTF) was created by the THDA Board of Directors to provide fi nancial support for innovative, aff ordable initiatives that serve the housing needs of Tennessee’s must vulnerable residents. Funding for the Housing Trust Fund comes entirely from earnings generated through THDA’s Single Family Mortgage program. HTF grants are awarded through a competitive application process. Since 2006 THDA has provided over $58 million in HTF grants to local governments and nonprofi t organizations across the state.

Press release courtesy of Keystone Development


Spring 2016 Community Health Fair

Questions About Your Medical Insurance?Copays, coverage amounts, networks, and deductibles can be very confusing to understand. Insurance Specialists are available for those with questions about their Tenncare, Medicare, Crestpoint, or other form of insurance. Assistance is available at no charge. Trish Aniol is a Certified Application Counselor/Patient Advocate with the Johnson City Community Health Center. Her office is located at 2151 Century Lane, Johnson City, TN. To schedule an appointment or to learn more about the services available, please call the JCCHC at 423-926-2500.

The Johnson City Housing Authority Department of Resident Services held its bi-annual health fair for senior adults on April 14th at the Keystone Recreation Center. Fifty residents from JCHA attended the event. East Tennessee State University student nurses were on site with several informational booths covering everything from exercise to diabetes. Several of the student nurses were also available to administer blood pressure checks, glucose checks, nutrition screenings, exercise demonstrations, and to answer any health related questions. Milligan College provided representatives from the department of counseling and psychology to raise awareness for mental health issues common in senior adults. The knowledge and resources promoted at this event help senior adults and disabled individuals living in the JCHA community

to continue living an independent lifestyle. Residents who visited each informational booth were entered into a drawing

for door prizes and a healthy lunch was provided for all attendees. Transportation to the event was also provided to any resident needing assistance. This spring’s health fair was another huge success due to the great participation from all our residents and community representatives.

JCHA Resident Services would like to give a sincere thank you to all who helped to make this event possible: JCDC/JCHA Partners for Health Family Medical Clinic, Johnson City Senior Center, Aid and Assist at Home, First Tennessee Area Agency on Aging and Disability, Milligan College, the Johnson City Health Department, Keystone Dental, Health Resources Center, and the JCHA Pest Control Department.

Hours: Monday, 8:00am - 4:30pm* Tuesday, 8:00am - 8:00pm*Wednesday, 8:00am - 4:30pm*Thursday, 8:00am - 4:30pm*Friday, 8:00am - 12:00pm*Closed for lunch (12:00pm - 1:00pm)

Location: Keystone Community 1136 East Main Street Johnson City, TN 37601

Phone: 423-722-0808

After-Hours:1-888-915-7260

Staff: Sue Reed, FNP Tasha Lane, LPN

JCDC/JCHA

Medical Clinic


As the Ross Grant Service Coordinator at the Johnson City Housing Authority, I personally invite you to register with our offi ce of Resident Services to determine whether you qualify for any of our services. The services we provide include but are not limited to

referral services for our elderly and/or disabled residents, light housekeeping, grocery shopping, commodities, and of course our monthly food boxes that are delivered on the 3rd Saturday of the month. These services have proven to be invaluable to our residents as well as our community.

The process to register is quite simple. Contact our offi ce at 423-926-3225 and we will schedule an appointment for you at your convenience to assess your needs. The assessment allows us to determine not only the services you qualify for, but also discover future benefi ts that could be added to our program. The primary goal of Resident Services is to ensure that our JCHA elderly and/or disabled residents thrive while living in our communities.

Please contact our offi ce as soon as possible to ensure that you don’t miss out on this great opportunity. I look forward to hearing from you soon. Vivian Clayman ROSS Service Coordinator

Dear Resdient: Community Cares

Your World,Your Chance, To Make a Difference

Johnson City Housing Authority is now hiring workers for our Senior Option Services Program!

The Upper East Tennessee Human Development Agency Inc. Head Start Program is currently accepting applications for 3 and 4 year old children for the 2016-2017

school year. Head Start is a comprehensive educational and nurturing program which also addresses the social, emotional and physical needs of each enrolled child. Children must meet the federal income guidelines or be on public assistance. The Head Start Program also provides services to 3 and 4 year olds with special needs. All services are provided at no cost to the family.

Head Start accepts child care certifi cates for the full day / full year program located in Johnson City, TN. Due to a limited number of slots, please submit your application promptly.

To apply, or to receive more information, please contact Shenay Meullion at 423-926-6936. The offi ce is located at 837 Pardee Street, Johnson City, TN.

Head Start Registration

About: AmeriCorps Community Cares is an AmeriCorps State Domestic Peace Corps program, sponsored by Tennessee’s Community Assistance Corporation (TCAC). Community Cares receives generous support from Volunteer Tennessee, public housing authorities, non-profi ts, and faith based agencies to provide home and other supportive services to frail, challenged and disabled citizens. In 2004, Community Cares was nationally recognized by Innovators in Civic Participation, AAR, and the Offi ce on Aging as a model senior care program. Yearly, AmeriCorps members are placed at service locations and assist 32,000 clients with a wide array of supportive services that include home and health, transportation, cognitive activities, environmental education and disaster relief. Johnson City Housing Authority partners with the Community Cares Program to provide employees to assist with the Senior Option Services Program. The following options are available:

Full Time: 52 week commitment working 40 hours per week with 2 weeks of personal leave and 10 holidays. This position includes a $12,530.00 living allowance, a $5,730.00 educational award, health insurance, and child care assistance.

Half Time: 52 week commitment working 20 hours per week with 2 weeks of personal leave and 10 holidays. This position includes a $6,265.00 living allowance and a $2,865.00 educational award.

Quarter Time: 22 week commitment working 22 hours per week with 24 hours of personal leave time and 1 holiday. This position includes a $3,320.00 living allowance and a $1,515.55 educational award.

Minimal Time: 10 week commitment working 30 hours per week with 8 hours of personal leave time and 1 holiday. This position includes a $2,200.00 living allowance and a $1,212.44 educational award.

Additional Information: For an application packet and information, contact Vivian Clayman, JCHA Ross Grant Coordinator, at 423-926-3225 or [email protected].


Resident Council Elections

Community Policing Updates

Unwelcome in the NeighborhoodThe following individuals have recently been added to the JCHA Trespass list. The people listed below have been advised by JCPD or JCHA Management that they are not to enter upon any JCHA owned or managed property at any time. If you are unsure if someone is on the JCHA Trespass list, please call 423-926-3339. We will be happy to verify the information for you. A complete trespass list is also available to view on our website at www.jchousing.org/trespass-list. This information is provided to tenants to help you comply with your lease.

Did you know that every resident of JCHA, age 18 and older, is a member of the resident council? You have the opportunity to make a difference in your community!

Elections are held every three years for Resident Council Officers. The next election will take place this year on August 9, 2016. If you want to serve your community as an officer for your development, please attend your community’s monthly meeting (listed below) and make your wishes known. You must be 18 years or older to be an officer and to vote in the elections. All people desiring to be on the ballot for this year’s election must make their intensions known by the July council meeting, at which the nominations will be held.

If you are homebound, elderly, or disabled and unable to walk to your Resident Center, there will be absentee balloting available. To take advantage of the absentee ballot, contact Angie at 423-926-3225 at the Resident Services Office no later than July 22 to submit your contact information. A volunteer will contact you by phone to arrange bringing you the absentee ballot. Absentee ballots will be cast during the week of August 1-5 and done by appointment only. Please be sure you are home at the arranged time.

Additionally, if you know you will be out of town on August 9, you are also eligible for an absentee ballot. NO CALLS FOR ABSENTEE VOTING WILL BE TAKEN AFTER JULY 29 due to the voting and absentee voting process conducted by our 3rd party non-profit organization.

All other residents are urged to get out and vote on August 9! National Night Out will be held one week prior to voting which provides a great opportunity for nominees to get your name out and earn votes!

Resident Council Nomination MeetingsCommunity Address Date Time

Keystone 841 Pardee Street Tuesday, July 5 11:00 amParkway and Dunbar 908 John Exum Parkway Tuesday, July 5 11:00 am

Memorial Park 127 Dyer Street Thursday, July 7 6:00 pmPinecrest 525 Joy Court Tuesday, July 5 3:00 pm

Carver 520 Washington Avenue Tuesday, July 5 4:30 pmLake Terrace 2451 Mint Hill Thursday, July 7 3:00pm

Guests ReminderYou are responsible for your guests and for their actions. Their poor behavior could negatively impact your standing with the Housing Authority. Be careful who you allow to enter your unit.

Shannon HIltonJoshua Babb

Christopher LeeDavid PhillipsHawa Adams

Roland Merritt

Geneva SparksTammy McClain

Alicia BokerWendell BlyeJeffrey Hurt

Jerriel Jordan

Mary SuggsJoshua J. Washington

Makaila BrownCourtney CrowderRamona Delgado

Brandy Fields

Audra BackersKeith Benjamin

James PerkinsonCrystal Chatman

Debbie PaulRandall Winterroth

Latesha BorenAlonzo Johnson

Roger ReevesRhonda Kirby

Gregory GriffingTeresa Smith (Removed)


1st Monday of every month 10:30 Fairview- Circle Court, near the basketball goal

1:00 Lake Terrace - Sandy Drive, bottom of the hill2nd Monday of every month 10:30 Pinecrest - At the end of Angel Place 1:00 Carver, Parkway, Dunbar - At the end of Washington Avenue3rd Monday of every month 10:30 Keystone - Parking lot behind the Keystone Rec Center 1:00 Memorial Park - Dyer Street, in front of the Resident Center

Food Distributions

Second Harvest Mobile Food Pantry

JCHA Food PantryAny Johnson City Housing Authority resident can receive a box from our local food pantry once a month. To qualify, call the Department of Resident Services and we will add your name to the list. Let us know if you can pick the box up, otherwise we depend on volunteers for delivery. Boxes are delivered on the third Saturday of each month. JCHA’s food panty serves more than 300 households each month and is in need of volunteers! If you are able to help with deliveries, call Resident Services. This program is available to all eligible recipients regardless of race, color, national origin, age, or gender.

Summer Lunch Program for KidsChildren birth through 18 residing in JCHA are eligible for a free lunch through the Summer Lunch Program. For more information about distribution times and locations, contact the Department of Resident Services at 423-926-3225.

Special DistributionsSpecial distributions are made throughout the year through partnering agencies of JCHA. Announcements of these are posted on our website at jchousing.org/news-media.

The Mobile Pantry Program directly serves clients in an eff ort to supplement other hunger-relief agencies. A truckload of food is distributed to clients in pre-packed boxes or through a farmers market-style distribution where clients choose what they need. The Mobile Pantry Program expands the capacity of the Feeding America network to distribute food by removing barriers that prevent access to underserved areas, and allows for fast and fl exible delivery of rescued food and grocery products including meat, produce and baked goods.

www.jchousing.orgThe Johnson City Housing Authority website has undergone several updates making it easier for our tenants to use! Did you know

you can now access our full site from your mobile device? On our website you will fi nd helpful information about our departments, programs and services available, resident councils, upcoming events, and much more. Residents can also stay informed by subscribing to our electronic news alerts, or by visiting our Facebook Page.

Fun Times in Johnson CityJohnson City Cardinals baseball games are a wonderful event for your family to attend. The stadium is located near the JCHA Memorial Park Community. Tickets are available at an aff ordable price with dollar concessions on Mondays!

The Tweetsie Trail begins at Alabama Street in Johnson City and continues east to Sycamore Shoals State Park in Elizabethton. Parking and trail access is available at the Memorial Park Community Center.

The Memorial Park Community Center is located at 510 Bert Street. This recreational center is host to a number of activities for seniors, exercise classes, an indoor pool, tennis courts, performing arts, summer camps, two full size basketball courts, and other community events.

The Johnson City Farmers Market off ers a variety of fresh produce from local famers, baked and canned goods, arts and crafts, and live music. Many vendors are able to accept SNAP Benefi t cards.


H4Y Honors Participants with Picnic CelebrationSeveral young adults were recognized for their recent

accomplishments as participants in the Homes for Youth Program. A picnic was held in their honor at Winged Deer Park and attended by Youth Villages case workers, members of the Homes for Youth Board, and community volunteers. Many of the youth were awarded with plaques to celebrate important milestones such as graduating high school and gaining employment. Christy Short was recognized as the first graduate of the program. During her time as a Home for Youth participant, she has become married and secured fulltime employment at an assisted living home. Christy’s successful transition to independent living is an inspiration to other youth entering the

program as well as their case workers who provide mentorship. Many groups from the community worked together to help sponsor this event including

Johnson City Housing Authority, Youth Villages, ETSU Department of Social Work, Bethany Christian Services, LXI Ministries, and Tri Cities Baptist Church. Homes for Youth would also like to thank the local business who donated food items and door prizes. These businesses were Barberitos, Chickfila, Beef O’ Bradys, Nationwide, Menchies, Jason’s Deli, Food City, Cheddars, Carmike Theater, M-Squared Designs, and Lifeway Christian Book Store.

The Homes for Youth Program offers assistance to youth who have no permanent residence and few resources. These young adults are given transitional housing and provided with case management through Youth Villages. If you know someone who could benefit from these services, contact the Johnson City Housing Authority for more information.

Single Parents Appreciation Dinner

Johnson City Housing Authority provides safe, affordable, and quality housing to many single-parent families. Moms and Dads of these households are familiar with the struggle to balance work, finances, and raising a family on their own. LXI ministries has partnered with JCHA to host a Single Parents Dinner once a month in the Keystone Community. This is a special event designed to show appreciation for the hard work and dedication of each parent and is greatly anticipated by families each month. LXI volunteers decorate the facility, prepare a home cooked dinner, and provide entertainment for both the kids and their parents. By giving single parents “a night off”, families are able to enjoy the evening by doing something fun together and visiting with other families in their community.

Each year, neighbors in JCHA’s communities come together to celebrate National Night Out. This event is nationwide and promotes police-community partnerships, crime prevention, and neighborhood camaraderie. National Night Out is sponsored by the Resident Councils of each Community and the Johnson City Housing Authority Community Policing Program. There will be free food, rides, and games for everyone. Celebrations will be held in the Keystone, Memorial Park, Lake Terrace, and Parkway/Dunbar Communities. Don’t miss out on all the fun!

National Night Out 2016

Volume 20, Number 2 • Summer 2016 News - Johnson City Housing Authority

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