Spring 2021 Tenant Newsletter

10 HAPP - Y Notes Welcome to the current edition of HAPP - y Notes , a quarterly newsletter produced for Section 8 tenants in Johnston County , NC Our staff welcomes your question and comments If there are topics or personal stories you would like to share with us or to be featured in up - coming issues , please email allisondunn @ johnstonnccom 77th Tenant Spring Edition 2021 DO NOT WAIT UNTIL YOUR ANNUAL RENEWAL TO REPORT CHANGES YOU ARE STILL REQUIRED TO REPORT CHANGES WITHIN 10 DAYS Waiting may result in an overpay - ment and cause you to have a PAYBACK to HAPP ? 1st payback - Pay in full , or pay down payment of 10000 and 5000 a month until paid ? 2nd payback – Must pay amount in full ? 3rd payback – TERMINATION OF HAPP ASSISTANCE COVID CORNER The Johnston County Health Depart - ment has vaccines available for those in low income housing programs such as Section 8 who are age 18 and above For more information contact Johnston County Health Dept at 919 - 989 - 5200 Total COVID cases in Johnston County 16735 REMINDERS - DO YOUR PART ? ? Wear a mask ? ? Wash your hands ? ? Clean and disinfect commonly touched surfaces ? ? Keep your distance ? ? Stay outside as much as possible ? ? Keep gatherings small Holidays Closures April 2 , 2021 Good Friday May 31 , 2021 Memorial Day More Info on changes ? IF there are ANY changes in any household income or if any - one moves in or out you must submit changes by the 15th day of the month Failure to do so could result in termination of your HAPP assistance ? It is HUD regulation to maintain utilities , heat , lights in your home ? Please make every effort to be home for your annual inspec - tion , it should be simple do , being that you ’ re receiving assis - tance to pay your rent ? Always keep batteries checked in your smoke detectors , it may save a life and is also a mandatory HUD regulation ? You must inform HAPP of the birth , adoption , or court - awarded custody of a child within 10 business days ? You must inform HAPP if a household member ceases to re - side in the residence within 10 business days WARMER WEATHER We are all tired of cold temps and RAIN Whenever the weather warms up ? It is a great time to clean up around exterior doors , porches and yards ? Get your windows sparkling by cleaning with a solution of 1 - part vinegar , to 2 - part water mixed in a spray bottle ; use cof - fee filters for lint free windows ? Clean mildew from shower and tub using 1 - part vinegar and 1 - part water in a spray bottle ? Use 1 - part vinegar , 1 - part mild dishwashing liquid and 2 - parts water solution to blot stains on carpetsPageIMPORTANT Please do not mail , fax , email or leave in the drop box - any pay stubs , documents , and so forth without writing a note to ex - plain if it is pertaining to a change or for your recertification We need some type of explanation as to why you are turning such in , we have 600 + tenants and we can ’ t remember , or sometimes aren ’ t aware of the details of your situation THANKS Types of Inspections The JCHAPP conducts the following types of inspections as needed Each type of inspection is discussed in the par - agraphs that follow ? Initial Inspections The JCHAPP conducts initial inspections in response to a request from the family to approve a unit for participation in the HCV program The unit must pass the HQS inspection before the effective date of the HAPP contract ? Annual Inspections HUD requires the JCHAPP to inspect each unit under lease at least annually to confirm that the unit still meets HQS The inspection may be conducted in conjunction with the family ’ s annual reexamination but also may be conducted separately ? Special Inspections A special inspection may be requested by the owner , the family , or a third party as a result of problems identified with a unit between annual inspections Quality Control Inspections HUD requires that a sample of units be re - inspected by a supervisor or other qualified individual to ensure that HQS are being enforced correctly and uniformly by all inspectors Monday - Friday 8 00 am - 5 00 pm 107 E Johnston St Smithfield , NC 27577 919 - 989 - 5070 Fax 919 - 989 - 5421 Congratulations to Ms Dawna Weaver , HAPP’s new Assistant Director Ms Weaver will continue to assist with inspections until the Inspector position is filled Renewal Reminders Do not forget to turn in your Renewal packet that was mailed to you by the due date stated on the letter included in your pack - et This is MANDATORY , along with including your last 2 months check stubs , verification of child care expense , copies of letters from Social Security , SSI letters , most recent bank statements Renewal packets are mailed out 4 months before your renewal date Failure to turn in before by due date will result in TERMINATION OF YOUR ASSISTANCE DON’T FORGET Spring Forward March 14 , 2021 Communication With Landlords ? Put into writing or email any com - plaints or repairs to your landlord ? Try not to use texts to communi - cate with a landlord , they ’ re too casual and some landlords find them hard to understand some - times ? Don ’ t call the HAPP office until you have contacted your landlord about issues you are havingPage