Fair Rent Commission

Minutes of the Aug 15, 2024 meeting of the Norwich Fair Rent Commission Present: Commission members Lee-Ann Gomes, Ed Belli, Rebecca Melucci, Alternate, Laurie Messore, Atty. Michael Driscoll, (Corporation Council for the City of Norwich), Tenant Judy Hersey, tenant Ceferina Leon, Norwich Housing Authority representative Jeff Arn, Ruth Baker The meeting began at 9:00am. Minutes of the July 18, 2024 meeting were approved. The commission discussed whether or not we should hear any case that is under eviction. There were pros and cons to seeing these cases. Some of the reasons not hear these cases are that filing with the FRC could be a stalling tactic on the part of a tenant and that the Commission should not interfere with due process of a legal eviction. A reason for the Commission to hear the cases was that the person should have a chance to plead their case if the eviction is based on unfair rent or retaliation before they are ejected from the unit. If the Commission waits until the end of an eviction the Commission does not have the authority to overturn a judge’s Order of Execution. It would then be too late for the FRC to intervene. It was decided to schedule and hear cases that are under eviction and base our interventions on a case by case basis. We heard the case of Judy Hersey v Vernon Capitol. Ms. Hersey stated that the property at 16 Oak Street has been sold to Vernon Capital. We confirmed, via documents from the City Clerk’s office, that Richard Stepanian and David Gage have sold this property to Vernon Capital LLC. Ms. Hersey states that someone from that company had notified her, verbally, that the rent will increased from $700 to $800 or $900/month. She had no written proof of this. She did share a text, which she states is from Vernon Capital, that states that the town will be kicking her out but that they have found a place that helps seniors. This text was added to her file. She also stated that she had not paid rent to the previous owner, Richard Stepanian, for over 5 years. He has not begun any eviction process against Ms. Hersey. We tabled this case until, and if, Ms. Hersey is notified in writing that her rent will increase. The Commission heard the case of Ceferina Leon who resides at 50 Quarto Road in Norwich, property under the management of the Norwich Housing Authority (NHA). Ms. Leon has lived at this property for 14 years. This year she failed to complete her redetermination of eligibility with the NHA in a timely fashion. She did complete the process in July. She states that the reason why she did not complete the redetermination on time is that she was ill and that her ID was stolen on or about 9-17-23. She indicated she had a viral infection, shingles, suffered emotional stress and depression. She did present two letters from medical providers. One stated that she was seen at the Minute Clinic on 4-1-24 and that she was excused from activity from 3-31-24 to 4-3-24. The second letter was from Hartford Healthcare stating that she was seen in the ER on 4-8-24 and that she may return to work on 4-10-24. Ms. Leon had been paying rent of $440, which is the lowest rent for this property. Since she had missed her recertification date, she believes that the NHA is assessing her $3890 and that this is unfair, in violation of Sec 4-41. The Housing Authority asserts that they sent information to Ms. Leon, and all tenants, on 12- 31-23 requesting recertification verifications by Jan 31, 2024. A second letter dated this date indicated that time when the property manager would be available to help residents complete the process. On 2-6-24 a letter was sent to Ms. Leon informing her she did not complete the process and she was in violation of her lease. This letter gave her until 2-16-24 to complete the process. On 3-19-24 a letter was sent to Ms. Leon indicating which documents were still outstanding, stating these were due by 3-26-24. On 4-1-24, as all documents were not received, the NHA sent a letter informing Ms. Leon that, per regulations governing State Financed Housing, she would be charged fair market rent of $1945, effective 5-1-24 and that they had begun an eviction. The letters and regulations are entered in the file. Ms. Leon subsequently provided all documents before July 1, 2024, but the NHA has to charge the FMR for May and June, per regulations. They stated that they would do a stipulated agreement that allowed Ms. Leon to repay monies due over the course of a year. The NHA representatives stressed that they have to follow the regulations set out for their properties by the state or be in violation. They treat all tenants the same and cannot be put in a position where one tenant is excused from recertifying their eligibility. The Commission asked further questions of both the NHA and Ms. Leon. Ms. Leon revealed that she threw away some mail as it had gotten wet, so she could have missed notices. It was suggested to the NHA that they send these notices certified mail. It was noted that Ms. Leon was very familiar with the recertification process, since she had been doing it for 14 years and have never missed recertifying before. The decision of the Commission was to not intervene. We will let the eviction play out and, hopefully, Ms. Leon will be offered the stipulated agreement which allows her to re-pay the monies owed over time. Having no further business, the meeting adjourned at 11:00 am. The next meeting of the FRC will be September 19, 2024 at 9:00 am.