In The Community of Marvell, Tenants of BGACDC Rental Housing Units Are Crying Out For Help…

By: Kinsey Williams

Cries For Help… Are they unnoticed, or simply ignored?

When you look at the web site of the Boys Girls Adults Community Development Center you will find their Vision Statement..A portion of this statement reads as follows:

BGACDC visualizes a healthy and safe community with affordable-decent housing, accessible affordable health care, and recreational facilities to meet the social and recreational needs of low-to moderate- income residents.

When you look at their Winter 2009 News Letter you will see this:

Housing Stock improves for Marvell Residents through rehabilitation efforts.

Decent, affordable housing is a basic human necessity that unfortunately seems to be just out of reach for some Eastern Arkansas Residents. BGACDC is endeavoring to combat the widespread problem through its housing programs.

“BGA is committed to improving the housing stock in Marvell because we believe that clean, decent and affordable housing plays an important part in a family’s health and well-being,” said Rosie Woods, housing director at BGACDC.

People have read information and statements like that for years. It speaks very highly of the efforts of BGACDC. Beatrice Clark Shelby, Executive Director and Rosie Woods, Housing Director are known for their efforts as well in upholding the vision and purpose of BGACDC which was founded in 1978.

The Journey Begins..

Here we have the story of two young women who are natives of the Marvell Community. Although they have different backgrounds, there are similarities and differences in the lives of these two women from the same community. Kinsey Williams and Sheronda Holden have known each other just in passing in Marvell. There is only a four-year difference in their age, yet they had never had a conversation. However, they are both tenants of the BGACDCs housing units.

Both Kinsey and Sheronda have been traveling in different paths on their journey for quite some time now. It wasn’t until April 23, 2009 after 8:30 pm did they find themselves at an intersection where their paths met. When you finish reading this story some of you will think that it is coincidence or even ironic. Yet I know the truth, our paths crossing is a direct result of the Will and Power of God. So, for me its what I would like to call “Just God”.

I am Kinsey and I am telling this story not only for myself, but for Sheronda as well. The interesting thing is, we have both had cries that have and still continue to go unheard concerning our individual residences rented to us by Rosie Woods.

For me, I moved into 609B Ward Street in March 2009. I also promoted and convinced one of my best friends, who is also a co-worker to move to Marvell with her son as well. So, they are in 609 A. When you see the unit, it looks very good on the inside and out, with the exception of the fact that there are no vent coverings in the many open spaces at the bottom of the unit. This means any animal including snakes, can get under there and breed or even die.

I have had some issues since we have moved in that should not be, because the unit was remodeled and would be considered new. The first incident at my new home didn’t involve the unit itself, however it occurred when a young man continuously used the driveway of my neighbor to perform illegal activities.

Although it wasn’t my driveway, I could see what was happening inside his car from my porch or if I was walking up to my porch. I contacted Mrs. Woods and she stated that she would look into it. When the young man appeared again one morning when I was on Spring Break around 9:30 am I tried to talk to him and get him to stop using the driveway for those purposes. In a nutshell, he told me that he would continue to use the driveway as long as he wanted to. I called Mrs. Woods and her response to me was “It’s not your driveway, and it’s not your business.” I was shocked and sure she must have misunderstood me. I went to BGACDC to talk with Mrs. Woods and Mrs. Shelby about the situation. Mrs. Woods did not change her answer and Mrs. Shelby supported her completely and added that I was a citizen of the community and that if I thought my rights were being violated that I could contact the police myself.

I contacted Mr. Michael Jackson with the hopes that he could help. I left him two messages and he returned my call the following day. Mr. Jackson wanted to know how I got his name. I told him that I had heard it a couple of times from a couple of different people. I told him that I had definitely heard Mrs. Woods call his name and refer to him as her boss. Mr. Jackson did confirm that he was Michael Jackson and that he was an Attorney for BGACDC and that he could not help me with the problems I had with the unit. He did ask me what my issues were and I gave him a full description of the problems that my neighbor and I were having. Mr. Jackson stated that he would inform Mrs. Woods because they talked frequently. The phone call ended. About 15 minutes or more later, Mr. Jackson called me again and informed me that first of all he wasn’t trying to change my mind or influence me one way or the other with any decision I make as how I would handle this situation. He also stated that he doesn’t stand to gain anything from this, nor does he stand to gain anything financially. Before the call ended, he restated that he was sure that Mrs. Woods would take care of our concerns. Nothing was addressed.

My second issue occurred on April 6th 2009 when I began experiencing electrical problems in my home. Mrs. Woods was notified on the same night and said that she would contact

someone on the following day, which would have been the 7th. Mrs. Woods was already made aware by my neighbor and myself that we had sockets that did not work. So now that the lights are flashing on and off by itself, it is serious. After several days of not getting any where with Mrs. Woods and the issue not addressed, I tried to communicate with Mrs. Shelby the Executive Director. I not only tried to explain the problem to Mrs. Shelby, I also tried to show her but she would not look at the footage of the problem that was captured on my phone. However, the only response I would get was that I would have to talk with Mrs. Woods. It took me contacting organizations that provide funding for BGACDC on the phone to get any results. So from April 6 to April 16 my two children and I were left praying that we did not perish from the severe fire hazard we were left to deal with. Since we live in a duplex, my neighbor and her son were at risk as well.

The Electrician came and checked out the problem. With Mrs. Shelby on site, the electrician reported to Mrs. Shelby that the problem was that the lights were wired wrong. When I saw Mrs. Shelby the following day and stopped to talk to her, she wanted to know what was wrong with the unit now. I told her that the electrician stated that it was wired wrong, but he is the one who wired it. He thought it was correct the first time. So, am I supposed to feel secure now? Not only that, when he left my home he did not go next door to Ms. Williams to address her issues even though you and Mrs. Woods both are aware that she has them.

So today is April 27, 2009 and my neighbors electrical issues still have not been addressed and both families are still at risk. And I haven’t found anyone including the Attorney for BGACDC, Michael Jackson to understand that not only did they have an electrician who is incompetent to wire the home, we are still at risk. Since we live in a duplex, there is only a wall to separate us and that means that both my family and Ms. Williams family are living on Faith and Trusting that God will continue to keep us safe while we are still dealing with the Negligence of all parties involved. The Electrician, Inspector, Attorney, Executive Director, and Housing Director

all are aware of these issues but did not take the necessary steps to insure the accuracy or safety of all aspects of the unit before it was rented to us. Even now, there are still electrical issues that haven’t been addressed.

Second tenants story: Sheronda’s cry for help.

Sheronda Holden is a 28-year-old mother of seven with an eleventh grade education. Sheronda became a tenant of BGACDC in February 2007. Mrs. Woods allowed Sheronda to rent a three-bedroom house for $300 dollars a month. Sheronda lived in her home for seven months with severe plumbing problems. It wasn’t until October that Mrs. Woods moved her to another unit. The unit that Sheronda was given was a two-bedroom apartment that was previously rented by tenants that owned pets. The rent in the two-bedroom was and still is $300 dollars as well. The home did not receive the normal cleaning that units are supposed to when a tenant moves out. It didn’t receive any cleaning on behalf of BGACDC at all. In fact, there are problems that are still present a year later. They include: the bathroom sink is stopped up, the oven doesn’t work, the heat either. When it was still kind of cold out, Sheronda would use the top of her stove to heat her home. All of the issues have been reported to Mrs. Woods more than once.

Sheronda also tried to communicate with Mrs. Shelby as a last resort several times by phone and in person. The response Sheronda received from Mrs. Shelby was that she could not talk to her about housing issues and that she had to see Mrs. Woods. In the beginning of March 2009 Sheronda is told by Mrs. Woods that she would have to move out of the apartment because she has too many children. Sheronda was told by Mrs. Woods that if she didn’t move, that she would have the Sheriff’s Department to come and put her out. Sheronda doesn’t understand because she has the same amount of children now that she had when Mrs. Woods put her in the two-bedroom unit. Also, the house that had the problems has been rehabilitated through the Delta Bridge Project and instead of placing Sheronda and her children back there, it has been rented to another family. Sheronda is crying out for help!

Our Paths Cross: Not Coincidence, Just God!

On the night of March 23, 2009 I (Kinsey) was returning home from a visit with Mrs. Jackson where I had just finished telling her what God had put on my heart and how things were beginning to be revealed to me about helping young women. When I got out of my car at home, I could hear someone calling my name but I couldn’t see anyone because it was dark. When the voice got louder, I could hear Sheronda tell me who she was and for me to meet her half way when I left out of my neighbors house. I told her I would and went on into the house. I was sitting there talking and thinking that I wasn’t walking across that field because it was dark and snakes are out there. Then as if someone was there, a voice said go and see what Sheronda needs. I got up and left and went to see. When I got there Sheronda came out by my car and began talking to me. It was the first conversation she and I had ever had. Not coincidence, “Just God”. I could not believe the things she told me. I asked her to write down everything on paper and to get it to me the following day. I told Sheronda that she would be okay and that she would not be evicted. I told her to trust me because I am trusting God and I know you will not be evicted.

I took Sheronda to Mrs. Jackson so that she could hear her story on Sunday April 26, 2009. Mrs. Jackson confirmed to Sheronda the same thing that she would not be put out. After we left Mrs. Jackson’s home, I could tell Sheronda was still concerned. She asked, “What do I do if they still come?” I told her not to worry and that everything will be taken care of. On this morning, which is Monday April 27, 2009, I received a call from Sheronda stating that she had talked to Mrs. Woods and she was told that she still had to move. I told Sheronda to call and tell Mrs. Woods that she wasn’t going to move and to leave it at that. Sheronda did call her back and told Mrs. Woods that she was not going to move and Mrs. Woods responded that she should wait, because today Department of Human Services would be coming to her home.

Here is what is interesting…

Both Kinsey and Sheronda are living in units rented from BGACDC. We are both experiencing problems with our home although they are different. We have both gone to Mrs. Woods and Mrs. Shelby only to receive no help. What do you do when you have a problem in the place you are renting? You go to the apartment manager, Rosie Woods who is of no help. The only other person you feel you have to go next is the Executive Director, Beatrice Shelby. We both did the same thing because we were both trying to make sure things were okay for our families. With Mrs. Shelby being the Executive Director and over Mrs. Woods, we would have thought she would have helped. Instead, she directed us both back to Mrs. Woods with nothing else to say. But somehow, someone has forgotten or was never aware of the fact that the tenant isn’t supposed to be inconvenienced because there is a failure on the part of the property manager to resolve or correct problems in a timely manner. After all, the purpose of the rent money is to ensure that there are funds to correct any problem that should arise in the units.

Remember the vision statement of BGACDC... BGACDC visualizes a healthy and safe community with affordable-decent housing, accessible affordable health care, and recreational facilities to meet the social and recreational needs of low-to moderate- income residents.

Also, the quote from Mrs. Woods in the newsletter…

“BGA is committed to improving the housing stock in Marvell because we believe that clean, decent and affordable housing plays an important part in a family’s health and well-being,” said Rosie Woods, housing director at BGACDC.

Here is the profile of the two women. What is happening?

Sheronda 28-year-old mother of seven Eleventh grade education Unemployed

For Sheronda it seems hopeless. She is wondering constantly. Who does she turn to? Who will help her? Where will she go? What about her babies? How could someone treat me like this?

Kinsey 32-year-old mother of two. College Graduate. Early Childhood Educator. (M.ED) Master of Education in Workforce Development

Education.

I too went to Mrs. Woods and then to Mrs. Shelby as well. My results were the same as Sheronda’s. I know how it made me feel, so I could only imagine how it made her feel. I am left trying to figure out who do I contact next? Who can help me? But, I went further. I contacted some of the people that provide BGACDC with funds that allow them the opportunity to carry out those things that they advertise. I called Mr. Jackson the attorney and requested a meeting with him, Mrs. Shelby, Mrs. Woods, and myself. Mr. Jackson contacted me and left me a message on my voicemail stating that if I had anything to discuss concerning my unit, I should not contact BGACDC. I should direct my calls to him. I called Mr. Jackson back when I got a chance and he wanted to know if I had obtained legal representation. I told him no. He asked me if I had talked to anyone concerning legal representation. I told him no. He then asked if I had tried to get legal advice concerning this matter with anyone. I told him no. Mr. Jackson informed me that if I had done so he would not be able to talk to me. Since I had not, we could talk. Mr. Jackson proceeded

to tell me how he thought that I did not have good intentions and that I was trying to hurt BGACDC. He wanted to know if I was aware of everything the organization has done for our community and that I have put them at risk by contacting people they receive funding from. Mr. Jackson then wanted to know why I would want a face-to-face meeting. He didn’t think it was a good idea. I told Mr. Jackson that I accept his opinion for what it is...an opinion, but I do resent the fact that they are acting as if I am the villain and that I have done something wrong. I also told Mr. Jackson to disregard my request for a meeting because it is pointless. He asked again what I wanted to talk about, I said not a thing and told him to have a nice day and hung up.

As a result, both women have experienced and are still experiencing…

Frustration, hurt, anger, intimidation, among many other things. What happened to the concern for a family’s health and their well being that we hear and read so much about?

This leaves me with the thought…

Who is the voice of the tenants when their cries have gone unheard or ignored?