The
OCTOBER 2011
Porchlight
A Note from Derwin
Jackson
This has certainly been an
exciting month for us at
FHA! I am happy to share
that we recently found out
we were awarded a tax
credit from the state that
will allow us to begin the
long-awaited construction
of the senior residence at Reddick Court.
We have been talking about
redevelopment for a long time now, and
you can already see the first changes as
you walk down Spring Street. Our former
office has been turned into a community
building, and next door is our new
maintenance facility and administrative
office. Our hope is that by spring of
2012, we will be able to break ground on
an incredible new facility for the senior
residents of FHA.
In addition to the tax credit, FHA has
also been awarded the Public Housing
Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Grant
from HUD. This will allow us to hire an
FSS coordinator to work with families to
become financially independent and selfsufficient. If you would like to learn more
about this program, call Cyndi Clark at
615-794-1247.
Resident Services will also be hosting an
Open House in the Community Building
on October 20 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
There, you can learn more about our new
Head Start program and Franktown Open
Hearts, the organization that runs our
after-school tutoring program. We hope to
see you there!
October is going to be a busy month, so
take time to enjoy the fall and have a fun
and safe Halloween!
Derwin Jackson
Executive Director
BIG NEWS FOR REDEVELOPMENT AT FHA
FHA’s plan to improve and
expand affordable housing
in the City of Franklin has
moved into high gear, now
that we have been awarded
a tax credit allocation from
the Tennessee Housing
Development Agency. The tax credit is worth about $6.6 million that
will be used to build a brand new residence for seniors at FHA.
In addition to this new tax credit award from the State, we have
already saved about $1.5 million ready to be used for this project.
Construction of the Senior Residences at Reddick Street is expected
to start in the spring of 2012.
The proposed building will be located on Strahl Street, have threestories with an elevator, and will include 44 one-bedroom apartments
and four two-bedroom units. All of the apartments will be designed
specifically for our senior residents. The new building will also offer
facilities including a community room with kitchenette, a common
laundry room, and a multi-purpose activity room where residents can
take advantage of a library, a crafts room, and a computer center.
We are excited to get started on this next phase of redevelopment
at FHA. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact
Resident Services at 615-794-1247.
HUD AWARDS GRANT TO HIRE
SELF-SUFFICIENCY COORDINATOR
We have more great news to share with you! FHA is proud to
announce that we have been awarded the Public Housing Family
Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Grant. This grant will allow 25 households the
opportunity to establish escrow accounts with earned income that
will enable them to become self-sufficient. The FSS Grant is part of
a HUD program that encourages families to obtain employment that
will lead to economic independence and self-sufficiency.
FHA will work with welfare agencies, schools, businesses, and
other local partners to develop a comprehensive program that
gives participating FSS family members the skills and experience
to enable them to obtain employment that pays a living wage. Half
of the available slots will be reserved for residents who are already
working toward self sufficiency through other programs or activities.
FHA and the head of each participating family will execute an FSS
contract of participation that will specify the rights and responsibilities
of both parties. This is a 5-year contract. Family members must fulfill
all requirements in order to obtain full benefits. If you are interested
in becoming a FSS participant and want to learn more about the
program, please contact Cyndi Clark at 615-794-1247, ext. 3, then 5.
2
RENT THE REDBUD ROOM FOR YOUR NEXT PARTY OR EVENT
The Franklin Housing Authority is very excited to offer
our residents the opportunity to rent out the Redbud
Room located in the FHA Community Center. This
will give residents easy access and accommodations
for birthday parties, showers and other events that
are approved by FHA officials. All residents will be
required to pay a $25.00 rental fee and a $75.00
deposit. Your deposit will be returned to you once
FHA staff has inspected the building and no damages
are noted. The Redbud Room is an excellent facility
to have your personal events! If you are interested
in renting the FHA Redbud Room, please feel free to
contact Tena Hardy or Michael Bishop at
615-794-1247.
LEARN MORE ABOUT PERSCRIPTION DRUG COVERAGE
FHA often utilizes the internet to educate residents on various subjects that affect their lives. The State of
Tennessee has also made the internet a resource to find programs that you might not be aware of, but could
enhance your quality of life. FHA, along with the Residents’ Association would like to showcase information
about additional assistance for Medicare recipients. We have provided information about the Medicare Rx Extra
Help program and the Tennessee Cover Rx program. More information about these programs can be found on
their websites, listed below. If you don’t have a computer at home, visit the Williamson County Library to log on
and learn more about these programs!
Medicare Rx Extra Help
Benefit: Pays for the monthly fee and deductible for
Medicare prescription drug coverage, and lowers
prescription drug co-payments.
Who can apply: People who receive Medicare,
have combined savings and investments of less
than $12,510 if you are single, or $25,010 if you
are married and living with your spouse and have a
limited income.
How to apply: Call the Social Security Administration
toll-free at 1-800-772-1213 and ask for the Medicare
Rx Extra Help application. You can also log on to
www.socialsecurity.gov and click on the Medicare
section. For additional assistance, call the Tennessee
State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)
toll-free at 1-877-801-0044 or log on to www.state.
tn.us/comaging/ship.html.
Tennessee Cover Rx
Benefit: Provides discounts on approximately 250
medications (mostly generic) by providing discounts
for non-covered drugs, including insulin, diabetic
supplies and mental health drugs. Co-payments are
low and are based on the participant’s income.
Who can apply: Low-income Tennessee residents
ages 19 to 64 without prescription drug coverage,
including Medicare, TennCare or employer-sponsored
drug coverage.
How to apply: For more information or an application,
call toll-free at 1-866-COVERTN (1-866-268-3786).
Or, you can call CoverRx directly toll-free at 1-888560-2649 or log on to www.covertn.gov/web/cover_
rx.html.
3
HAVE FUN AND BE SAFE THIS HALLOWEEN
Halloween is a fun time for costumes, candy and haunted houses. Many people are out on Halloween night
with their children going door to door, either walking or riding in cars to get candy. Because there are a great
deal of individuals walking to trick-or-treat with their children, we should really practice extra safety when we are
driving. Here are some safety tips to practice on Halloween night:
• Never use a cell phone or other electronic device while driving. The rate of cell phone related auto accidents has jumped dramatically since the use of cell phones and texting have increased. It is also illegal to text while driving!
• Pay extra attention, particularly to crosswalks, intersections and the side of the road. Kids tend to walk along the curbs, cutting across the street to get to other homes. Keep scanning all around you as you drive, whether as thru traffic or along with your kids as they trick-or-treat.
• Drive below the posted speed limit in residential areas during trick-or-treating hours. This will allow you time to brake if you see a child dart in front of you.
• Do not pass other vehicles that have stopped in the roadway. They could be dropping off children.
• Instruct your child to never get into the car of a stranger. It might be easy for your child to mistake someone else’s car for yours with the excitement of Halloween. Put a lighted plastic Jack-O-Lantern on your dashboard to make your car more recognizable to your child.
• Unfortunately, Halloween is also a night that child predators are looking for victims. Let your child know that they should never get into the car of a stranger at any time. If someone stops them and asks for
help or offers them candy, tell them to scream as loud as they can and run to a parent or trusted adult immediately.
• Make sure your child carries a flashlight, glow stick or has reflective tape on their costume to make them more visible to cars. Let them know if they carry a flashlight to
never shine it in the eyes of a driver. This can cause temporary blindness for the driver and they may not see your child.
• If you are dropping off or picking up your kids in an area, pull off the road into a safe spot and turn on your hazard lights to alert other motorists. If you go with your kids from door to door, leave the hazard lights on so other drivers can see your car parked there.
CANDY APPLES
12 apples
12 popsicle sticks
4, 14-ounce packages of caramels
8 tablespoons heavy cream
Chopped nuts and/or crushed candy
Rinse apples and pat dry. Remove apple stems and insert a popsicle stick into stem of
each apple. Prepare a baking sheet with waxed paper for the apples. Combine the cream
and caramels in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir constantly until caramel is melted
and smooth.
Dip the apples into the caramel until completely covered. Let the extra caramel drip back
into the saucepan. Roll in chopped nuts, crushed candy or festive sprinkles! Place apples
on waxed paper and refrigerate. Enjoy!
4
OCTOBER
SUNDAY
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
1
Join us Oct. 20 at the Community Building to
learn more about Head Start and Franktown Open
Hearts.
Rent is Due
NOTE:
Pest Control for:
W. Meade, 506+ Cherokee, Short Court, Spring Street, Park, Chickasaw, Plus
aggressive treatments
2
3
4
5
USIG INSPECTIONS
RA Board Mtg;
Community Bldg.
Conference Room5 pm - 7 pm
9
10
Late Fees Apply
16
17
11
12
24
PEST CONTROL
FHA BOC Meeting;
Admin Bldg;
Conference Room,
5:30 pm
30
31
Happy
Halloween!
13
7
14
Balances on Past
Month Due by 4pm
to avoid Warrant
Learn about the
FSS program at
this meeting!
Sassy Seniors 11 am- Redbud
18
19
20
FHA Open House10 am – 1 pm
Community Center
Bldg.
25
26
27
8
Sassy Seniors11 am - ProHealth
RA Members Mtg;
Redbud Room:
4:30 pm
WARRANTS FILED
23
6
USDA
Homeownership
Workshop- Redbud
Room- 5:30 pm
21
15
22
Sassy Seniors11 am - ProHealth
28
Sassy Seniors –
11 am- Redbud
29
5
Residents’ Association Message
My fellow Residents,
We would like to wish all of you a safe and Happy
Halloween! This month’s guest for the Residents’
Association meeting will be members of the Tennessee
Credit Union. They will be speaking about some of the
differences between a credit union and a typical bank.
Also Cyndi Clark, FHA Resident Initiatives Coordinator,
will be speaking about some changes in the Residents
Services Department and a new and exciting program
here at FHA. We hope you will be there; it is a great opportunity for all
FHA residents who are moving toward self-sufficiency.
Last month’s members meeting was a very good one. The Residents’
Association talked about the upcoming RA election and many more
topics. This month we will continue to update you on RA election
procedures and we will also be taking nominations for the Association’s
Directorships. So, if you live in Spring, Park or Shawnee/Chickasaw,
now is the best time to come down and be nominated. You can also
nominate yourself, but you must consent to serve if you are elected. We
want to hear from you, so this month I will not be doing all the talking.
You as members are our bosses and we need to hear how you want your
organization to operate!
The Association is moving forward in establishing itself as an
independent organization. We hope that all residents who live in those
three developments will run for office and help change the way public
housing residents are viewed. As current president, I want to know,
what would you do if you were President of the Association? Then ask
yourself, is it time for me to get involved in my community? I hope so;
only you can change things! Also this month’s RA meeting will have a
door prize! We are going to change up the prizes and we think your
going to love it! Thank you and I hope to see you there.
Thanks,
Calvin M. Scruggs
President, FHA Residents’ Association
CLYDE VENSON VISITS RESIDENTS’
ASSOCIATION
Property Management
reminders:
• Because we are required to file
warrants by the 17th, all balances should be paid by then.
Michael will be filing the required
warrants on the 17th.
• Please ensure that any money
order and/or check has been
completely filled in prior to
mailing or dropping it in the
rent collection box or at
the reception window. Also,
please do not use the
abbreviation of “FHA” in the
“Pay to the Order of” line.
Moving forward, please write out
our entire business name,
Franklin Housing Authority, on
that line.
• Income Reporting: Please
note that ALL income has to
be reported, whether it is
Child Support, Social
Security, Wages from a job,
Unemployment and/
or AFDC from the Department
of Human Services. This
includes income from all heads of-household and adult (18
and over), household members.
Please understand that HUD
has a system in place, called
EIV [Enterprise Income
Verification System] that can pull
all income sources, except child
support and AFDC.
It is important to us that you
understand these policies. If you
have any questions, call
615-794-1247 and speak with
Michael.
ImPortant dates For
sEpTEMBER:
• Rent due on the 1st
• Late fees apply on the 10th
• Warrants filed on the 17th
100 Spring Street
P.O. Box 304
Franklin, TN 37064-0304
Phone: 615-794-1247
Fax: 615-794-9254
Email: [email protected]
RiDDLEs OF THE MONTH
1. Together, two coins equal 30 cents. One of the coins is not a Quarter. What are the two coins?
2. The man on the $10 bill has never been US President. What was his office and his last name?
Residents should call the RA office at 794-1247, (prompt 3, ext.6) with the answer. Be sure to speak clearly in your
message! Please give your answer, your name and phone number in the message. If you do not leave a phone
number or we cannot understand your message, we do not know how to get in touch with you if you win!
Answers to September’s challenge:
Q) What can travel around the world while spending its life in a corner? A) A postage stamp.
Q) What kind of lights did Noah use? A) Flood lights.