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FAIR
RENT COMMISSION
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OCTOBER 4, 2006
ATTENDANCE: Richard Booth, Chair; Maria Borges-Lopez; Mary Geake;
Andrew Matiello; Patricia Genuario; Martin Bernard;
Stacy Parrigin
STAFF: Elisabeth Youngerman, Director
The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Mr. Booth.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING – September 2006
** MR. BERNARD MOVED TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES WITH THE CORRECTIONS SUGGESTED BY
THE DIRECTOR
** MS. GENUARIO SECONDED
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
Mr. Booth brought to the attention of the Commissioners articles from Nilsa that would be worth their review. The Commissioners agreed that the articles are very helpful and informative. Mr. Bernard asked Ms. Youngerman to ask Nilsa to continue sending the newspaper articles to the Commissioners.
Mr. Booth said that he picked up subsidized housing information, titled “Are you looking for an apartment?” Ms. Youngerman explained that that document is given to people who come into the office looking for an apartment.
DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Ms. Youngerman explained that the case scheduled for hearing on 10/04/06 got settled at the end of last week. The landlord decided to drop the rent increase.
Ms. Youngerman said that in a case, similar to the last case, the new owners came in with a huge rent increase, and that one was settled too. She said that the landlord wanted the tenants to leave so that he could work on the house. It was in bad shape and he said that he was willing to give the tenants a few months in which to move. They agreed to leave so that the landlord could begin working in January.
Ms. Youngerman reported that they will have two cases scheduled for hearing next month. She said that they are trying to get a scanner, so that they can scan the complaints along with the Health Department reports.
Ms. Youngerman said that there is an Alternate Position open on the Commission.
Ms. Youngerman apprised the Commission that public housing tenants are being charged for repairs for problems that are not caused by the tenants. She said that she has been working with legal services and there may be a class action suit. The charges are showing up on the tenants rent.
Ms. Genuario asked what kinds of charges are showing up on the rent charges. Ms. Youngerman said that there are charges for repairs to the common areas, such as graffiti removal. She said that they are also being charged for painting, but it has not been done. Ms. Youngerman said that she is trying to keep tabs on this and said that she does not normally get a lot of cases from public housing.
Ms. Youngerman said that this month there will be training for all Norwalk Senior Center staff on landlord and tenant issues.
In tracking intakes, Ms. Youngerman said that one third were Spanish speaking. The energy assistance program is now taking applications.
Ms. Youngerman said that HUD issued new fair market rents as of October 6, 2006. She explained that these rents are created through a survey conducted by HUD. She said that it shows substantial increases from last year.
Ms. Youngerman described the Section -8 housing program. She offered to teach a session on Section -8 and public housing on a night when Fair Rent have no hearings. Ms. Youngerman said that these are some of the highest fair market rents in the country.
SCHEDULED HEARINGS AT 7:30 P.M. – CASE #1562-06
The case was settled.
MOTION/VOTE ON OPEN CASES, AS NECESSARY
Ms. Geake asked Ms. Youngerman if she could provide findings and the decisions for each case. Ms. Youngerman reviewed and explained the finding and decision on case # 1560-06. She said that she will post them when they are signed by the Chairman.
Ms. Youngerman updated the Commission on the Freire case. She said that there are still problems with leaking and the oil tank. Mr. Freire is living there and looking for an apartment. Ms. Youngerman said that they will continue to do inspections on the oil tank.
Ms. Youngerman said that the Gaby appeal is on-going and the briefs are being worked on.
Ms. Youngerman recommended keeping the Freire case open.
Ms. Youngerman said that the Valenzuela case is ongoing. Most of the repairs have been completed. She said that she is working with the Health Department, but there are still issues with co-mingled utilities. The landlord wants to raise the rent, but can’t because this is an open case. If the utilities serve more than one tenant, the landlord is responsible for payment.
Ms. Youngerman recommended closing the Concannon case. The tenant withdrew.
** MR. MARTIN MOVED TO CLOSE THE CONCANNON CASE
** MS. GEAKE SECONDED
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
Ms. Youngerman recommended closing the Sanchez case.
** MR. MARTIN MOVED TO CLOSE THE SANCHY CASE
** MS. GENUARIO SECONDED
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
Ms. Youngerman informed the Commission that the Richmond and Avalos cases would be heard together next month. They involve large rent increases from the same owner.
Ms. Youngerman distributed an article about illegal apartments. She said that Norwalk was not as zealous as some other communities in enforcing laws concerning overcrowding in apartments. Mr. Bernard said that he has noticed that Norwalk has 11 – 12% affordable housing. The surrounding towns have very little in affordable housing.
Ms. Youngerman told the Commissioners that the office hosts the Haitian Consulate every other Wednesday.
Mr. Booth asked the new members of the Commission if they had any questions. They did not.
DELIBERATIONS AND DECISION ON HEARING CASE
There was no case heard this evening.
MOTION TO ADJOURN
There was no further business and the meeting was unanimously adjourned at 8:35 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Rosemarie Lombardi
Telesco Secretarial Services
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