You are more
Even the most intense experience is only an experience you are having. It is not you, and you are not it.
You are more than your problems, more than your possessions, more than the pains and pleasures. You are more than the frustrations that sometimes feel so overwhelming.
Too often, out of fear, you cling tightly to things that don't really matter. Imagine the freedom that can come from letting go and stepping back.
What if your most agonizing worries no longer had the power to worry you? What if your most burdensome difficulties no longer had the power to trouble you?
Step back from them, and it is all possible. It's not a matter of running
away, but of putting the world in perspective.
The real person you are, is not defined or limited by the passing circumstances, no matter how intense they may be. Always remember that you are more. -- Ralph Marston
Too often, out of fear, you cling tightly to things that don't really matter. Imagine the freedom that can come from letting go and stepping back.
What if your most agonizing worries no longer had the power to worry you? What if your most burdensome difficulties no longer had the power to trouble you?
Step back from them, and it is all possible. It's not a matter of running
away, but of putting the world in perspective.
The real person you are, is not defined or limited by the passing circumstances, no matter how intense they may be. Always remember that you are more. -- Ralph Marston
Important Issues affecting our Northern Kentucky, South Bank, Covington QUALITY of LIFE continue to crowd the Calendar for our American Spring of 2012...
Get Ready for U.S. and Kentucky Fair Housing Month in April. Housing discrimination is against the law. The United Civil Rights Act and the Kentucky Civil Rights Act prohibit discrimination in the area of housing regardless of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability, and familial status (families with children under age 18 and includes pregnant women). Property owners, landlords, realtors, media that list real estate for sale or rent, financial lending institutions and the public are obligated to comply with fair housing law.
Michael Connett asked
WHY do we even need a Housing Authority at all!? Is this a HUD requirement? Why can't ALL Residential Rental Housing be Controlled, Licensed, Inspected, Regulated and Enforced by one Single CITY Department? As it is; the only Residential Rental Housing that is Contolled, Licensed, Inspected and Enforced to any degree in the City of Covington is public/subsidized (either through the Sct 8 Voucher Program administered by the City, Project Based/Property Owned Assisted Housing administered by the HAC or Project Based/Privately Owned Housing directly administered by HUD through Ky Housing Corp) Rental Housing. What this means is that ONLY public/subsidized Rental Housing is held to any accountability for Housing Quality Standards. Want to make a ton of cash; buy up a bunch of shacks and rent them to the working poor that can't qualify for HUD Assistance and you avoid inspections, Housing Quality Standards, maintenance and upkeep because the only City Codes to be enforced are the Uniform Residential Landlord Tenant Act of Kentucky Regulations that the City has adopted. If you aren't renting through a public/subsidized HUD program, the City has NO Right to enter or inspect your rental units. They can only send Code Enforcement out to critique your units OUTSIDE Appearance! "Outside show is a poor substitute for inner worth." -Aesop
Steven L Frank replied; Michael that was exactly the thrust of my questioning at the City Commission / Housing Authority meeting. Either the Housing Authority ups its game by actually listening to its customers, the poor, and advises and seeks input if not outright consent for its projects from the taxpayer as represented by the City Commission; the Housing Authority will find that its funding and its existence will not be what it hoped. No projects to manage, no Hosing Authority. The City already runs Section Eight so they will have outlived their usefulness.
Michael Connett; C+V=G: #5 WE Will: Think regionally and consider Shared (Collaborative) services or Partnerships if there is a significant cost/benefit. So think BIGGER following HAC's Lead and Create the South Bank Housing Authority: A Partnership with Ky Housing Corp/HUD Compliance Mgt representing the Housing Administrations throughout the River Cities and Tri-County Jurisdiction. And for good measure; include Office space for the Kentucky Commission on Human Rights: Northern Kentucky Field Office...
Michael Connett; To follow up on the Potential for a significant (IMHO) cost/benefit: I received this feedback after a recent KFTC meeting... "You mentioned at the meeting that some landlords discriminate against section 8 when they post "section 8 need not apply". While that is entirely possible, it could also be that the unit isn't able to pass a HUD inspection for them to accept section 8 or they don't want to deal with the hassle of certification. From what I understand, it's also easier to evict a non-section 8 tenant if you know something's amiss.
Unfortunately, I see just the opposite problem in Newport. Over here, many landlords have a strong bias towards renting section 8 because they don't give a damn about their property or what goes on with it - the money is coming from the federal government, so some landlords never bother to pick up the minimal rent from the tenant. A lot of landlords over here are uneasy about renting a place out to an individual because that guaranteed money isn't flowing then. They'd have to actually meet their tenant.
Things go both ways. Personally, I would rather have the occasional classist/potentially racist landlord than the culture of absentee slumlords I see over here.
I believe the human rights ordinance guarantees against housing discrimination and that's awesome. I think housing protection of any minority group is essential, but I don't think that should extend to requiring landlords to accept section 8.
I didn't get a chance to talk to you about it, but I felt compelled to share the alternate side of the issue..."
Unfortunately, I see just the opposite problem in Newport. Over here, many landlords have a strong bias towards renting section 8 because they don't give a damn about their property or what goes on with it - the money is coming from the federal government, so some landlords never bother to pick up the minimal rent from the tenant. A lot of landlords over here are uneasy about renting a place out to an individual because that guaranteed money isn't flowing then. They'd have to actually meet their tenant.
Things go both ways. Personally, I would rather have the occasional classist/potentially racist landlord than the culture of absentee slumlords I see over here.
I believe the human rights ordinance guarantees against housing discrimination and that's awesome. I think housing protection of any minority group is essential, but I don't think that should extend to requiring landlords to accept section 8.
I didn't get a chance to talk to you about it, but I felt compelled to share the alternate side of the issue..."
Michael Connett replied; I'm not for requiring them either, but I think they should not be able to exclude a whole class of people from at least allowing them to apply & go through the normal process of reference, background, credit checks. If they can't pass the minimal standards for HUD, they can't pass the City's required inspection for a business license. That's where Covington differs. It's the only South Bank-River City that does not require any kind of Housing Quality Standards inspection to do business as a Residential Property Rental business. The absentee landlords thrive over here by taking cash from anyone who has it & is willing to live in the unit regardless of it's condition. That's why HUD/Sct 8 tenants are weeded out -those are the only rental units that are subjected to a HQS inspection... The Residential Rental Property industry are the only businesses that Covington can be said to be "Friendly" to. You can find the HQS requirements and more info on my website. Thanks for the feedback!
Steven L Frank; I haven't even addressed the human costs. Ask benny Doggett and Reverend Richard Richard B. L. Fowler, both ardent Democrats Roger about how the people have been mistreated. I spokr of the dollar and cents issues because that's what most people would grasp. There is a whole other side and dynamic to the injustice going on here.
Michael Connett Thank You Commissioner! As another Ardent Democrat who's been on Early Retirement/Social Security Disability since testing HIV+ & losing my job (due to the Stigma & Discrimination heaped on Americans Living with HIV/AIDS) who has been kept alive and Housed in Assisted-Affordable Housing since 1993 through both Voucher & Site-Based HUD programs, you have learned and understand how our fellow Covingtonians have been mistreated. And not just those who live in Assisted Affordable Housing, but those who struggle unassisted in the Free Fair Market which turns out isn't very Fair at all... This is a NON-PARTISAN QUALITY OF LIFE Issue for anyone who wants to Work, Play or LIVE in The COV!
As an American who's Gay -among many other things, as well as Living on Social Security Disability Benefits since 1993; I've been a Consumer of HUD's Services & Programs and have experienced how it all works whether it's Housing Choice Section 8 Voucher Based administered at City Hall or through other HUD Site-Based Assisted Projects administered by the Housing Authority of Covington.... Commissioner Casper referenced something about 300 Properties owned by the City... There were 39 such properties as part of the Construction/Renovation of Properties Adjacent to The Jacob Price Homes HOPE VI Development RFP... So I wondered if there was a Census of Residential Housing for Covington by Owned and Renter status, where the tally came to 20,053 Housing Units with 8,608 Rentals.
Jeff Murden As for Section 8... private landlords. The city controls that program and that money. The city (commission) can decide how and when to do inspections. The commission decides what, when, where and how that money will be spent. If it's all fucked up they are to blame (and they have had lots of heat over it). If you turn it over to HAC the directly elected officials will have as much say so as they have over the projects (one vote). This is not a wise move. The HAC would love to get this money and control of this program. In short order, private landlords will be the least of our concerns because they will muscle their way in and monopolize that program just as they have with project based programs. They can decide amongst themselves to put private investors out all together... not a good thing in the big picture.
PROPOSAL -Originally authored April 1997
Authors note: While the focus of this proposal is aimed at and speaks to conditions in Covingtons residential rental property market; it is equally relevant to all cities, as well as agencies concer...ned, with residential rental property. For this reason, it is being widely distributed for your thoughtful consideration.
In the wake of the hoopla of the recent Covington Housing Fair - where the city attempted to put its best foot forward in an effort to convince people that it's a great place to live - it is imperative that I bring to light a major obstacle to an aspect of this effort that currently exists.
As I understand it; from the city's Housing Development Department, not only was the focus on home ownership but also on increasing the occupancy of the numerous residential rental units in the city. In Covington - as in most cities, renting residential property is a Business which requires a license. Unfortunately, all too often it is a business in which "the customer" is treated with little respect, much indifference and is seldom, if ever, right. This is especially true amongst low-income and uneducated tenants and the slum lords that prey on them. From my own recent experience with one of the city's slum lords, I learned that for tenants there is virtually no protection, warning, regulation or discipline against the unfair actions of such deceitful persons.
In the late 80's; a coalition of agencies which included the Legal Aid Society among others and was known as the Ky. Housing Coalition, established the Uniform Residential Landlord-Tenant Act (URLTA) which was adopted by Covington and many other No. Ky. Cities. While that was a commendable attempt to end years of confusion and give both landlords and tenants equal standing in the eyes of the law; it would seem that once the act was established, adopted and a handbook published, the effort died and withered away. People - especially tenants - are not being made aware that these rights and the accompanying handbook exist. The slumlords know this and use this lack of awareness against their tenants to their own greedy advantage. As that particular handbook states: "... The law only works for people who understand how to use it. Tenants and landlords have to know enough to make sure (and, when needed, demand) that their rights are respected."
But before people can understand the law and how to use it, they must be made aware that it exists. The current promotion of URLTA and the availability Of, as well as access to, its handbook is severely lacking and needs to be improved significantly. As an example: I know that in the Housing Department office, these handbooks are stacked on a shelf under the counter out of sight rather than being on the counter in an accessible display rack. Every residential renter needs to be made aware of URLTA's existence and be provided broad access to FREE copies of its handbook. Likewise; in addition to being required to have a license, every landlord should be required to have read and understand the URLTA handbook.
There are other weaknesses of URLTA that need to be addressed. If a conscientious landlord operates in a professional manner and takes the time and care to check references, he can usually avoid the tenants from hell. Tenants don't have the same ability to weed out the slumlords. There needs to be a way to compile an accessible, public history of housing code violations, complaints and court actions against landlords that prospective tenants can check before they sign a lease. A 'Better Business Bureau' for the residential rental property industry, if you will. There also needs to be a stronger solution to Security Deposit disputes. Currently, if a landlord tries to unfairly withhold a security deposit, the tenants only recourse is to sacrifice more of their hard earned money and file in small claims court. To make matters worse, Legal Aid won't even discuss or help with deposit disputes farther than telling you to go to small claims. Once a tenant receives a favorable judgment for the refund of their security deposit, they are left on their own to try and get the money. Should a slumlord try to ignore or drag out the payment of the judgment, there needs to be a way to help force payment as well as punish his actions.
In an attempt to address these issues I would like to put forth the following proposal for your consideration. Please bear in mind that I am neither a politician or lawyer and this is a basic rough idea written in plain English.
http://www.mwcltonline.org/slumlords.html
Authors note: While the focus of this proposal is aimed at and speaks to conditions in Covingtons residential rental property market; it is equally relevant to all cities, as well as agencies concer...ned, with residential rental property. For this reason, it is being widely distributed for your thoughtful consideration.
In the wake of the hoopla of the recent Covington Housing Fair - where the city attempted to put its best foot forward in an effort to convince people that it's a great place to live - it is imperative that I bring to light a major obstacle to an aspect of this effort that currently exists.
As I understand it; from the city's Housing Development Department, not only was the focus on home ownership but also on increasing the occupancy of the numerous residential rental units in the city. In Covington - as in most cities, renting residential property is a Business which requires a license. Unfortunately, all too often it is a business in which "the customer" is treated with little respect, much indifference and is seldom, if ever, right. This is especially true amongst low-income and uneducated tenants and the slum lords that prey on them. From my own recent experience with one of the city's slum lords, I learned that for tenants there is virtually no protection, warning, regulation or discipline against the unfair actions of such deceitful persons.
In the late 80's; a coalition of agencies which included the Legal Aid Society among others and was known as the Ky. Housing Coalition, established the Uniform Residential Landlord-Tenant Act (URLTA) which was adopted by Covington and many other No. Ky. Cities. While that was a commendable attempt to end years of confusion and give both landlords and tenants equal standing in the eyes of the law; it would seem that once the act was established, adopted and a handbook published, the effort died and withered away. People - especially tenants - are not being made aware that these rights and the accompanying handbook exist. The slumlords know this and use this lack of awareness against their tenants to their own greedy advantage. As that particular handbook states: "... The law only works for people who understand how to use it. Tenants and landlords have to know enough to make sure (and, when needed, demand) that their rights are respected."
But before people can understand the law and how to use it, they must be made aware that it exists. The current promotion of URLTA and the availability Of, as well as access to, its handbook is severely lacking and needs to be improved significantly. As an example: I know that in the Housing Department office, these handbooks are stacked on a shelf under the counter out of sight rather than being on the counter in an accessible display rack. Every residential renter needs to be made aware of URLTA's existence and be provided broad access to FREE copies of its handbook. Likewise; in addition to being required to have a license, every landlord should be required to have read and understand the URLTA handbook.
There are other weaknesses of URLTA that need to be addressed. If a conscientious landlord operates in a professional manner and takes the time and care to check references, he can usually avoid the tenants from hell. Tenants don't have the same ability to weed out the slumlords. There needs to be a way to compile an accessible, public history of housing code violations, complaints and court actions against landlords that prospective tenants can check before they sign a lease. A 'Better Business Bureau' for the residential rental property industry, if you will. There also needs to be a stronger solution to Security Deposit disputes. Currently, if a landlord tries to unfairly withhold a security deposit, the tenants only recourse is to sacrifice more of their hard earned money and file in small claims court. To make matters worse, Legal Aid won't even discuss or help with deposit disputes farther than telling you to go to small claims. Once a tenant receives a favorable judgment for the refund of their security deposit, they are left on their own to try and get the money. Should a slumlord try to ignore or drag out the payment of the judgment, there needs to be a way to help force payment as well as punish his actions.
In an attempt to address these issues I would like to put forth the following proposal for your consideration. Please bear in mind that I am neither a politician or lawyer and this is a basic rough idea written in plain English.
http://www.mwcltonline.org/slumlords.html
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