SMHA Resident Association

Residents Participate in Focus Groups but are not satisfied with process.

The Resident Association was approached in in June concerning a plan issued by Amanda Fletcher, Executive Director of SMHA, to participate in Focus Groups. We were told it was designed to elicit comments on the Five-Year and One Year Plans that the Housing Authority sends to HUD for approval.

However, concern was expressed by the Resident Association officers that sufficient time was not given to plan for residents to participate properly. Nevertheless, the focus groups went forward and four resident sessions were offered, with several residents in attendance.

Much to the surprise of resident leaders, there was no mention in the content of the questions concerning the Five-Year or One-Year Plans. Some questions were viewed by resident leaders as not relevant to the Five-Year and One-Year Plans and most all sessions were degraded to nothing more than "gripe sessions". There seemed to be no specific aims or objectives to the questions being asked and the questions appeared to be ill-conceived. One question that was asked to the residents was, "What are your housing goals for the next five years?"

We wondered what that had to do with the Housing Authority’s plans?

In order to not be completely unsatisfied with the relevant issue of registering our comments on the Five-Year and One-Year Plan, we will request a separate meeting to discuss them at length with the Housing Authority.

We will be addressing issues such as, Admissions and Occupancy Policies, Grievance Procedures, Inspection Procedures, security, work orders, etc.

We feel like these are the issues that need to be specifically addressed and we want to represent you in the best way possible. If you want to understand more about this, please consider attending our meetings and you will be informed as to how we proceed in these important matters that affect you.