7
Newsletter
June 2011
A New Look for the Monthly Newsletter
Starting this month, there will no longer be a separate newsletter for the Family Developments or for
the Hi-Rise. We are consolidating to one newsletter for everyone. With Banneker Gardens now
open and Klot’s Mill coming open in August, all residents are going to need most of the same
information. Therefore, that is one of many reasons we are going to one newsletter.
Another change we are going to implement in the near future, is giving you a choice to receive the
newsletter by e-mail or in with your rent statement if you do not have a computer. More information
about this change will be in next month’s newsletter.
Preventive Maintenance Inspections
June 1st
June 2nd
June 7th
June 8th
June 9th
June 14th
June 15th
June 16th
June 21st
June 22nd
Queen City Tower
Queen City Tower
Jane Frazier Village
Jane Frazier Village
Jane Frazier Village
Fort Cumberland Homes
Fort Cumberland Homes
Fort Cumberland Homes
John F. Kennedy
John F. Kennedy
301, 302, 303, 304, 305 & 306
307, 308, 309, 310, 311 & 312
11A, 11B & 11C
11D & 11E
11F & 11G
3A, 3B & 3C
3D, 3E & 3F
3G & 3H
401, 402, 403, 404 & 405
406, 407, 408, 409 & 410
A copy of the inspection will be left in your unit for your information. If any repairs need to be
completed,
maintenance will be returning within twenty days to complete them. Entry is
MANDATORY in order to do inspections as well as repairs.
Please continue to call the
Maintenance Department (301) 724-2055 with
any deficiencies even if your inspection is
scheduled in the near future.
Exterminator Schedule
1st
June
June 8th
June 15th
June 22nd
Reminder…
Swimming Pool Size
6’ x 1’ NO LARGER
DO NOT LEAVE “small
children” unattended if
you have a swimming pool
in your yard.
Jane Frazier Village
Queen City Tower &
John F. Kennedy
Fort Cumberland Homes
Banneker Gardens
Page 1 of 4
Tenants Helping Tenants
Advertise Your Services Here!
It has come to Cumberland Housing’s attention that tenants are in need of certain services that
they may not be able to provide for themselves. In response to this, we would like to offer, to
current tenant’s only, space in our newsletter, as well as on our internet site, to advertise the type
of service you are willing to provide. We will post your name and contact information that you
provide to us, as well as list the type of service you are offering. The cost will be $1.00 per every
month you would like to advertise. Payment will be accepted in cash only at the main office or in
the office at each Hi- Rise. Services that are currently needed are grass cutting and trimming,
cleaning outside yards, and cleaning inside units. In addition to helping fellow residents, you
would also be fulfilling your community service requirement. Cumberland Housing will be involved
for advertising only. CHA will not be liable for any arrangements between tenants, or any
collection for unpaid work.
Upcoming REAC Inspection
During the week of July 18th, 2011, there will be an inspection that is mandated by HUD. The
company that will be doing the inspection is IMC Inspections, Inc., which is based in Virginia.
Please be aware that the inspector is a contractor for HUD, not an actual HUD employee. These
inspections are being performed in order to score our developments. Our scores are the basis for
how much funding Cumberland Housing receives in the next budget year. The higher the score,
the better we are rated, the more money we receive in order to fund projects and upgrades for
each development. Other benefits of a high score allow us to skip several inspections throughout
the year, which means less intrusion to our tenants. It also helps keep your rent amounts as low
as possible.
Prior to the inspection, you will be given a list of items that will help you prepare your apartment
for this inspection. Please do not wait to call the maintenance department with any items that
need attention. If you have any questions regarding the list when you receive it, or have an item
in your apartment that is questionable as to whether it needs repaired or replaced, please call the
Maintenance Department (301) 724-2055. Remember that there is no charge for asking
questions! However, there is a $25.00 charge for not reporting a maintenance repair, as
stated in your Lease Book. The apartments in our developments, as well as the buildings
themselves, need to be in the best possible condition prior to the inspector being on-site.
Cumberland Housing is not given any prior notice as to what time of day your unit may be
entered. The only information that we are given is which development will be inspected on which
day and that will be passed along to all tenants with plenty of notice. Entry into all units will be
mandatory. In the family developments, please avoid locking screen doors to prevent entry into
your unit. If entry cannot be gained, you will be issued a notice to vacate.
Thank you for your anticipated cooperation.
Leroy Bennett
Director of Maintenance and Technical Services
Page 2 of 4
Safety Hazard at Queen City Tower
Do not dispose of items by leaving them outside by the Gas Meter (back by garage area). Doing
so causes a major safety risk. If you have items that you want to dispose of, bag them up and
throw them down the garbage chute. If the items are too large to fit easily down the garbage
chute in bags, then contact maintenance. No items are to be left outside!
Wheelchair Use
Pets
If you are in a wheelchair, be careful when you
back up or maneuver your chair. We have had
damage that has cost housing time and money.
Walls have needed painted. Doors have been
damaged.
Windowed doors have needed
replaced. A hard band or a bang in the wrong
place with a wheelchair can cause extensive
damage.
It has been brought to the attention of Housing
Management that maintenance has been
cleaning up pet feces on the lawns and outside
areas. Please make sure you clean up after you
pet. Not cleaning up after your pet can cost you
money, can cause you to have to get rid of your
pet (pet permit revoked), and can lead to
eviction.
June is Home Safety Month. Here are some tips for all of you.
To Avoid Falls
Rugs – Do not use throw rugs in your apartment to avoid falls. (The only exception to this is in the
bathroom as you will see below).
Nightlights – Have nightlights in the bathroom and bedroom to avoid falls.
Bathroom Tips – Have a mat or non-slip strips in the tub and shower. Have a bath mat with a non
skid bottom on the bathroom floor. Keep the bathroom floor clean and dry at all times.
Spills – Wipe up all spills as soon as they happen.
To Prevent Poisoning
Keep medications, cleaners, and beauty products in a place that is unassessable to children and
grand children. For poison help call 1-800-222-1222. Call if you want information about poisons.
Call 911 if someone needs to go to the hospital.
Prevent Fires and Burns
Stove Use – Stay by the stove if you are cooking food (especially when you are frying food). Use
the back burners on your stove. Turn pot handles and fry pan handles towards the back of your
stove. Keep paper, plastic bags, and other objects that can burn at least 3 feet away from your
range top. Do not wear any long sleeved robe or any loose fitting clothing that may have the
potential to catch on fire when you are cooking.
Matches and Lighters – Keep matches and lighters in your shirt pocket or purse. Make sure they
are in a place children cannot get to them.
Outlet Use – Put safety caps in the outlets to protect children from putting things into the outlets.
Do not plug too many things at one time into one outlet. Use a surge protector.
Cigarettes – If you smoke use a large, deep ashtray. Make sure cigarette butts are completely
out. Do not put paper or flammable objects in the ashtray or near the ashtray. Put water on
cigarette butts before disposing of them. Dispose cigarette butts in a can with a lid before
throwing them in the garbage.
Page 3 of 4
Pan Fires, Oven Fires, Microwave/Toaster Oven Fires
Pan Fires – If you have a pan fire call the Fire Department (911). If you have a small pan fire, put
on an oven mitt and carefully slide a cookie sheet or a lid over the pan. When you do this, the
oxygen is cut and the fire will go out. Turn off the heat on the burner. Leave the pan in place until
it cools down. Once the pan is cooled, you can remove the lid or cookie sheet. (If you feel you
are in danger get out immediately and call 911 before doing any of the above).
Oven Fires – If you have an oven fire call the Fire Department (911). Firefighters can check the
possible flame spread. Keep the oven door closed. Turn off the heat. Get to someplace safe and
wait for the firemen.
Microwave or Toaster Oven Fires – Unplug the appliance if you can safely reach the outlet.
Keep the door to the appliance closed. Call the fire department and report the fire. (If you feel you
are in danger get out immediately and call 911 before doing any of the above). Make sure that
you service the appliance before using it again.
Disposing of Medicines
Dispose of Medicine you do not use or is outdated. Check the dates on all medicines. If they are
outdated, throw them away. Do not throw medicines in the sink or toilet. They can poison our
water. Remove labels from old medicine. Wrap the old medicine container in a plastic bag or
paper and put it in the garbage. Make sure to keep children and pets away from the garbage. If
you are disposing pills, crush them before you throw them out. You can also mix them with kitty
litter or coffee grounds before throwing them away.
Preventing Electrical Shocks and Injuries
Keep all electrical items (hairdryers, electric razors, curling irons, etc.) away from water. Always
unplug appliances after using them.
Candle Use
It is best not to burn candles. If you do burn a candle make sure it is on a non flammable surface
and make sure you blow it out if you leave the room where the candle is burning.
Fathers Day
June 19th
Three Reasons to Keep Your Lawn Neat
1. Mice and snakes are attracted to weeds and long grass.
2. Garbage and litter give mice food and shelter.
3. YOU will be charged a fee if the Housing Authority has to mow
your lawn or remove your garbage.
So keep your yard nice looking and safe for the kids.
Page 4 of 4