Tenant Unions Making Progress

SUNNYSIDE HOTEL

The THC has received cost estimates and architectural designs for the proposed renovation of the hotel’s ground floor. The project will seek to employ as many hotel residents as possible, and will result in the creation of both artist live-work space and a nighttime lobby-television room for the tenants. The THC intends to apply for the necessary funds as soon as the Redevelopment Agency issues its Requests for Proposals. At the last tenant’s meeting, hotel residents said they were pleased with the building’s maintenance, and felt the management is making progress on roach spraying, vacuum availability, visitor issues and fire extinguishers. Neighborhood issues were also discussed at the meeting. Ombudsman Joeseph Trevino is in #402. 

COLUMBIA HOTEL

By Marc Garrett 

The Columbia Hotel is now under new management. Since our last tenant’s meeting, the tenants have received a request to give written notice of any complaints; also, the tenants were informed that they are to have no illegal appliances. Tenants were quite pleased with the management’s response to their complaints, but raised concerns about fire extinguishers and smoke alarms, which have already been remedied. The oscillating water temperature in the showers, missing common area windows, access to vacuum cleaners and inconsistent heat were outstanding concerns, and tenants showed an interest in acquiring donated lobby furniture. The next meeting  of Columbia Hotel tenants will be july 9th at 6pm in the lobby. (Ombudsman Marc Garrett is in room #321.)

CHRONICLE HOTEL

The Chronicle Hotel Tenants’ Association met last month and was quite disturbed about the on-site management’s harsh manner and disrespectful attitude towards hotel residents. Tenants were also upset with the management’s inability to make repairs in a timely fashion, and came up with a long list of complaints concerning hotel conditions, including paint, carpeting, broken sinks, hot water, smoke alarms and a severe roach problem. Finally, the group appointed floor monitors to help stop the noise and garbage problems created by other tenants in the building. Linda Pierce in room #334 will take over for outgoing Danny Zane as ombudswoman, as of July 1.

DELTA HOTEL 

By Jimmie Monson

The Delta Hotel has finally come aboard the program in a very positive way. With its’ new tenant’s association coming into being and management showing a willingness to work with us, I and other residents feel real change is possible. We’ve not yet rectified all problems in our “home” but we have begun.

I’m excited by the possibilities. The Delta Hotel is a Sixth St. fixture with a history of unsavory activities that have been a thorn in the side of both residents and merchants. We, who live here, want to change this, because the Delta can be a clean, safe place to live. (Ombudsman Jimmie Monson is in room #433)

MORE MODNEWS

NO MORE DISCONTINUED BLUES

If you are on Modified Payments, you no longer have to worry about being evicted from your hotel because you have been discontinued from G.A. If you have been discontinued, and you can’t reapply for G.A. for two weeks, your rent can be covered by the Housing Clinic for two weeks. 

To get your rent covered while you are discontinued, you must:

1) Call your worker to try to remedy your discontinuance, or contact the General Assistance Advocacy Project (GAAP) at 25 Taylor Street,.

2) If this doesn’t work, bring your letter of discontinuance to the THC. We will also try to help you get a remedy if possible. If you cannot get a remedy, we will cover your rent for two weeks. 

3) when reapplying for G.A., it is very important to tell the intake worker that you are currently on the THC’s Modified Payments Program, and that your housing voucher for the period of presumptive eligibility should be made to the THC. Otherwise, your rent won’t be covered at your hotel during this time.

Please note: We will not be able to cover your rent if you are discontinued for fraud or for having excess income. 

ATTENTION STREET SWEEPERS 

You can help. GA folk who street sweep can turn in their brooms and volunteer at the Tenderloin Housing Clinic, and help other folk get themselves off the street and into permanent housing. If you’re tired of picking up trash, and interested in joining the THC volunteer squadron, just contact Paul at the front desk at 126 Hyde Street.

BOB ‘FLASH’ GORDON SAYS:

GET MODIFIED 

Have you benefited from permanent housing, as opposed to the streets or a year’s worth of seven-day stays? Has your life improved as a result of having a steady place to call home? Has the Modified Payments Program been a positive experience for you? If so, then tell your friends!

Let the rest of the world know that cheap, permanent housing can be found at 126 Hyde Street, an office filled with usually friendly people and not-too-bad-lookin’ carpets. Don’t keep it a secret! Shout it from the rooftops! Fin.