Community Service

Recently, I've begun managing a mixed-income (Market/Hope VI/Tax-Credit/HA) community. Throughout the past few years since it's creation, the community has gone through some incredible transition with new staffing and an economic downturn in the immediate surrounding area (far below the national average of unemployment). Currently, however, we have a devoted staff and a very supportive resident basis who would like to see the community come into its own and flourish. One of our most venerable obstacles thus far has been re-instating our local housing authority's required (but not monitored by them) community service hours for residents receiving subsidized assistance. Because the system has gone unchecked for so long, our resident services coordinator and myself are working on ways to actively engage the population while simultaneously organizing an efficient method of tracking hours and exciting those eluding the system to get back into it. I am searching for some good feedback to engage, monitor, and continually encourage the re-awakening of the system.

Trevor- This is a new one for me. What percentage of your residents would fall into this required category? What kind of hours are we talking about here? Is anyone doing it? How are the locals "supposed to be" monitoring it? Think of creating a "preferred vendors list" of your community service outlets. In order to be valid, it has to be an approved organization, prestamped job responsibilities... maybe go after it like college internships... they were yours to do, but someone else's to supervise.

Tara,

This effects about 85 of our households on the property, each with an average of 3.5 residents per. I've constructed the following requirements based around my company's policy as well as state and local laws and restrictions regarding affordable housing and community service requirements. The exemptions are included as well:

A. BACKGROUND
The Quality Housing and Work Responsibility Act of 1998 (24 CFR 960.601) requires that all non-exempt (see definitions, Section public housing adult residents contribute a minimum of eight ( hours per month of community service that helps an individual toward self-sufficiency and economic independence. This is a requirement of the Public Housing Lease. Non-compliance with this policy constitutes a lease violation.

B. DEFINITIONS
Community Service is volunteer work that includes but is not limited to: work at a local school, recreation center, senior center, Resident Council, non-profit social service agency, etc.

Self-Sufficiency Activities are activities that include but are not limited to: job training programs, GED classes, substance abuse or mental health counseling, or any other kind of bona fide training that helps a person achieve economic independence.

Adult Family Member is any resident 18 or older.

C. QUALIFYING EXPEMPTIONS FROM THE COMMUNITY SERVICE REQUIREMENT
Any adult family member who:
• Is 62 years of age or older
• Has a disability that prevents him/her from being gainfully employed
• Is the caretaker of a disabled person
• Is working at lease 20 hours per week
• Is participating in a welfare work program
• Is receiving assistance from TANF and is in compliance with job training and work activity requirements of the program
• Is a full time student

D. REQUIREMENTS OF THE PROGRAM
The eight ( hours per month may be either volunteer work or self-sufficiency program activities or a combination of the two.

My biggest issue is that the system has gone unchecked by previous management for so long that residents blatantly diregard the policy, going so far as to throw away community service paperwork in annual recertification packets. My task is to empower and invigorate this system, but it seems to be a daunting one in the face of historical apathy on both sides of the community service issue.

I like the concept of volunteerism. I saw a commercial the other night for an organization that Obama supports..... They may be able to help you get back on track.... I think the website is www.serve.gov ....

Trevor... What I DO KNOW FOR SURE is that Pittsburgh is a big city comprised of smaller, insular areas that are incredible prideful and self-sufficient. Focus the community service in areas that specifically pertain to the feeder areas of your residents, or even more specifically, your own property. It could be a great "buy-in" reason especially if it's presented right!

Community service builds Community.

Great example:
Extreme Home Makeover helps a fractured struggling family, replaces a damaged structure with a slick, safe new habitat, group-hugs a community by enabling them to group-hug their neighbors, makes friends from strangers and makes my eyes puddle up all while selling a product.

Does it get any better than that?

I think community service is an integral part of the "Golden Rule", the "Pledge of Allegiance" and the welcome address inscribed on the Statue of Liberty.

While I'm employed by RentWiki, these statements reflect my personal views delivered here. I'm just sayin'...

If you have the space to do this; I might consider starting this 'volunteerism' trend by hosting a blood drive at my property; offering my clubhouse for use as a polling place, or a classroom for CERT training......