Section 8 Housing Dispute

Summary

The user, a resident of a Section 8 housing complex managed by Groundworks Collaborative and owned by Windham Windsor Housing Trust, is facing issues with his housing status. He has been informed that he is not in good standing due to exceeding the yearly limit of overnight guests. This has resulted in him being unable to move out with his Section 8 voucher. The user has attempted to resolve the issue with the managing agency and has sought legal advice from Vermont Legal Aid. He is currently seeking further legal advice to address this issue.

Full Conversation

housing i live in a managed housing complex with a section * voucher i am being told i am not in good standing and i am not being evicted or looseing my voucher but i can not move out and take my voucher with me the place is over run with drugs and drug dealers everyone that they moved in thare when it opened is addicted to somthing has mentel health issues or both including myself i have been trying to get clean and take care of my mental health issuse but i have sought help multiple times in the last to years but always had to return to this envioment and failed i am self aware enough that i know what i can do and what i cant and i cant stay clean or keep my mental health issues stable in this envioment and now i am being told i cant move out also i am * yrs old and have both physical and mental health disabilitys
Who told you that you're not in good standing and can't move out with your voucher?
the place is managed by a agency called the ground works collabrative the place was opened as a supported living envioment the bast way to describe it is for you to look up great river terrace brattle boro VT it will tell you what it was suppost to do and what it has become after the discription look for an article called they killed joe that will tell you what i am trying to cope with
What specific reasons did the Groundworks Collaborative give for not allowing you to move out with your Section * voucher?
the only thing they have said is i have gone over the yearly limit of overnight guests
What is the yearly limit for overnight guests according to your housing agreement?
* or * nights
What are the consequences mentioned in your housing agreement for exceeding the limit of overnight guests?
thare is nothing that says anything about that it seems to be whatever they decide at any given time
What is the exact number of overnight guests you've had in the past year?
i dont recall i know i am over the limit and its not the number of differant guests but if i let one person stay * nights and somonr else * im over
Have you received any written notice from Groundworks Collaborative regarding this issue?
i have recieved a letter from the owners of the property that i am in violation
What does the violation letter specifically state?
it just says i am in violation nothing else
What is the name of the property owner who sent you the violation letter?
windham windsor housing trust
What actions have you taken since receiving the violation letter from Windham Windsor Housing Trust?
other than speaking with the managing agency i have been in the hospital the two case workers that work at my complex one ones that reported to the owners i was over the limit and i have spoken with my pych providers about providing letter that the envioment is detramental to my mental health
What does your housing agreement say about the process of dispute resolution or appealing decisions made by the managing agency?
i dont have it in front of me but i dont recall any specific process for dispute resolution they kind of do what they want all of the propertys they own are low income housing and tenent really do not have the resorces to fight any actions that are taken agianst them
What does your Section * voucher agreement say about moving with the voucher?
after a year resideing in this complex you can take your voucher and move anywhare in the country as long as you are in good standing i have lived there about 4 years and was in good standing until just recently and say i cant take the voucher ond move becouse i went over the overnight limit seams pretty extreme reason to do that plus the place is litterly killing me to continue to live there
What does your housing agreement say about the definition of "good standing"?
it doesent have a definition
What actions does your housing agreement state can be taken against a tenant who is not in "good standing"?
it doesnt say
What steps have you taken to address the issue of exceeding the limit of overnight guests?
i have tryed to speak with the case workers on site in person before i was hospitized and saince i have been but i have received no responses
Have you considered seeking legal advice from a local attorney or legal aid service in Vermont?
when i contacted VT legal aid i got voice mail told to to leave a message and i would hear somthing in a couple of weeks
What was the date when you received the violation letter from Windham Windsor Housing Trust?
again i do not have it availible at the moment i an in the hospital but it was aprox * weeks ago
What is the name of the hospital you are currently in?
brattleboro retreat phych hospital that is why i need to find a way to move my envioment is messing with my phych and adddiction issues
What is the name of your case worker at the Groundworks Collaborative?
one is jennifer hunt the other is emerulde last name unknown
What actions have Jennifer Hunt and Emerulde taken to assist you with this issue?
at this point i dont beleive they have taken any actiion i spoke with emerulde
What did Emerulde say when you spoke to her about this issue?
sorry hit wrong button before i finished the messege
What was the outcome of your conversation with Emerulde regarding your situation?
i spoke with her last monday she was suppost to find out if there was any other reason i was not in good standing and she spoke of see if the property owners would move me into another property preferbly out out town i have not heard anything back from her and i have left multiple messeges i spoke to the other case worker and she spoke of just trying to get a i cant think of the name but basicly get a nutrual referance and letting me move with my voucher thay are not in agreement and i have nothing else from either of them
What is the name of the other case worker you spoke to?
jennifer hunt
What was the outcome of your conversation with Jennifer Hunt regarding your situation?
nothing really as far as i know no action has been taken on either approach
What is the name of the property you are currently residing in?
great river terrace
What is the exact wording of the rule regarding overnight guests in your housing agreement?
like i said i am in the hospital and i dont have it in front of me what i recall is it saying tenents can only have over night guests * or * nights a year nothing else
What are the penalties mentioned in your housing agreement for exceeding the limit of overnight guests?
it does not say
What is the name and contact information of the person or department at Windham Windsor Housing Trust who sent you the violation letter?
i dont have that avaible right now i am being dicharged this afternoon and will have the other info later today how can i continue this at that time
Sure, you can continue this at any time. Just reach out when you have the necessary information.
is there any one person to ask for or am i going to have to start all over
You can continue the conversation with me. I'll be able to assist you further once you provide the additional information.
thank you
What is the name and contact information of the person or department at Windham Windsor Housing Trust who sent you the violation letter?
again i dont know untill i am home and find the letter
What is the name and contact information of the person or department at Groundworks Collaborative who you have been communicating with about this issue?
jennifer hunt * * * emailJHunt@GroundworksVT.org
What is the exact wording of the rule regarding overnight guests in your housing agreement?
i do not remember i have to get home and find the lease
What is the exact date when you received the violation letter from Windham Windsor Housing Trust?
you already asked that i will have that info when i get home
What is the exact wording of the violation in the letter you received from Windham Windsor Housing Trust?
i will contact you later with then info
Sure, feel free to contact us when you have the information. We're here to help.