Translate
Accessibility
COVID & Health Info
January 2022
Dickson Housing Authority Resident Edition
More Than Just Housing
January 2022
Inside This Issue
From the Director
Maintenance
Resident Services
DHA News
Calendar
Did you know...
And more...
Our Office will be CLOSED
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
January 17, 2022
Dear Residents,
It's a New Year!!! For many of us, 2021 was just as much of a challenge as 2020, but we have made it through. Let's continue to work together to make things as normal as possible. When making your New Year's Resolutions, remember to focus on self-create a new workout routine, make realistic goals, plan to spend more time with friends and family, start a new hobby, etc.
Let's do our part to stay healthy. Practice good hygiene, social distancing, and wear masks. Be mindful of who you are around and where you go. If you feel sick, stay home. Unfortunately, we are closing transportation due to the rise in COVID cases in our area. We will announce re-opening on our resident services Facebook page when we feel it is safe again. Also, please make sure you are paying your rent by a check or money order and placing it in the dropbox. If you would like a receipt, please make a note on the envelope and one will be mailed to you.
If you haven't done so already, go check out our new website DicksonHousing.org and join the DHA Resident Services Facebook page for upcoming information. We cannot express enough how important these pages are.
Sincerely,
Sherry Lynch, Executive Director
Maintenance Department (Dutch, Todd & James)
If you have an emergency and it's during office hours please call the office before calling maintenance.
Maintenance Emergency: 615.417.0813
Maintenance Emergency: 615.351.5173
Maintenance Emergency: 615.428.7924
Emergency Number Only: 615.604.3395
Director, Sherry Lynch
DHA - 333 Martin Luther King Blvd-Dickson, TN 37055- 615.446.9371
Maintenance
- If something is not working properly-especially a leak, a soft floor, plumbing-be sure to report that immediately before a minor repair becomes a major repair.
- We are hitting colder temperatures. Remember to leave your faucets dripping and cabinet doors under the sink open to avoid freezing pipes. If you are going to be away, do not turn your heat off-turn it to 55-58 degrees, instead.
- Work Orders: Please do not call maintenance directly with work order inquires. Call the office to request a work order unless it is an after-hour emergency.
- Do not leave storm doors propped open. The wind will damage the closer and you could be charged.
- Make sure you are getting and changing your filter monthly. You can get these in the office.
Winter Energy Saving Tips
- Change or clean heating and air-conditioning filters every month. Dirty filters put an unnecessary strain on the unit and can increase operating costs.
- During the winter months, open your shades and let in the warm sunshine.
- Check air handler and ductwork for leaks and weather-strip or caulk around windows, doors, plumbing, and other gaps so that heat won't escape.
- In the winter, set your thermostat at 68 degrees and wear warm clothing. When you leave, turn it down a few degrees to save a little on your gas bill.
- Make sure your electronic gadgets don't suck your wallet dry! Many TVs, DVD players, cell phone chargers, power adapters, computers, and other electronics use vampire power or standby power, even when they're turned off. Although individually these devices typically draw only a very small amount of power, together it adds up, especially when left plugged in 24 hours a day, seven days a week. To combat these energy vampires and reduce your consumption, unplug the appliances when not in use. Using a surge protector with multiple sockets will allow you to turn off multiple devices with one switch.
Resident Services
It is official - Welcome to 2022!!
- A new year means it is time to renew commodities. I will let everyone know when it is time to sign up. We may have a new way of doing that, so I will keep you all posted. If you are new to commodities and would like to get signed up, please let me know.
- Transportation: CLOSED until further notice.
- As your Resident Services Coordinator, I am able to help with referrals and information for services such as community health programs, benefit programs, food distribution, educational opportunities, child care... and much, much MORE! Feel free to contact me!!
Tracy Grigsby, AmeriCorps Member
Resident Services Coordinator
DHA News
- Administrative Business: All business will be handled through the service window, as much as possible. If you are sick, please call our office instead of making a visit.
- Rent: Rent must be paid by check or money order and placed in the dropbox. Do not put cash in the dropbox.
- We now have our own website. Please visit DicksonHousing.org and share your feedback or suggestions. The website will feature an online payment option, newsletter highlights, forms, and more in the near future. Go take a look around. We also have two Facebook pages. Dickson Housing Authority is a page for the public to provide general information about DHA and things happening in the community. DHA Resident Services is a private page dedicated to our public housing residents only. This is a new avenue to interact with our residents virtually. We will be using these more and more. We strongly encourage everyone to join both pages. If you need help joining, just give Tracy a call. 615.446.9766 Don't Miss Out On Important Updates and Information.
- Trash and Junk: If you have trash, furniture, old bicycles, tires, old tarps, car parts, etc. laying around, clean it up. Place personal items in your storage building or throw them away. Our men randomly leave the trash trailers throughout the sites. If you see the trailer, take advantage and clean these things up.
- Pets: All residents MUST pay a pet deposit, show proof of shots, and have approval BEFORE a pet is allowed in the home. Do not bring a pet into your home without prior approval. This is a violation of your lease. You are not allowed to "pet-sit" any pets that are not on the lease.
- See Something-Say Something: In an effort to keep our communities safe, we need your cooperation. This is your home. We ask that if you see something that just does not look right, (if you witness a drug sale or other illegal activity if you see someone on the property that has been banned, etc.) make an effort to report it. You can leave an anonymous note in the dropbox, make an anonymous phone call to the office (615.446.9371) or the police department (615.446.8041).
New Year Funnies...
- What happened to the man who stole a calendar on New Year's Eve?
- He got 12 months!!
- He got 12 months!!
- What can you catch in the winter with your eyes closed?
- A cold.
- A cold.
- How can you farm during the winter?
- Use a snowplow.
- Where do you find Google during January?
- The Winternet.
PARENTS...
We would like to start a leadership program for our youth. Each quarter we will carefully choose a focus area in which the children will be able to participate in activities that coincide with that particular subject. Subjects will consist of life and communication skills, problem-solving, diversity, planning our future, and more. We will do this by semesters with different age groups so that everyone will have a chance to participate. There will be hands-on activities, at least one field trip per quarter, and a speaker.
We are still working on logistics, but each semester will last about 6-8 weeks-one meeting every other week, after school, and at the community center. I would like to get feedback and see how many are interested in their children participating. There is a poll on our Resident Services Facebook page to vote. Once we get some results, we will be able to provide more details.
If you have any questions, suggestions would like to help plan, and/or chaperone, let us know.
Please help us to get our youth involved!!
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr...
The third Monday of January has been dedicated to honoring the birth, life, and dream of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. As a Federal holiday, schools, libraries, federal and state offices, post offices, and many private businesses close in his honor. Martin Luther King Day is the only national holiday designated as a "day of service" to encourage Americans to volunteer in their communities. January 17, 2022, will be a time to remember the fight Dr. King fought for freedom, equality, and dignity for all races.
Interesting fact: King was born on January 15, 1929. The last time Martin Luther King Day fell on his birthday was in 2007. It won't happen again until 2019.
Dr. King was known as an American clergyman and civil-rights leader. He became minister of the Dexter Ave. Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama in 1954. In 1956, he led the boycott that gained victory in desegregating the city bus lines. He also organized the Southern Christian Leadership Conference-a base used to organize civil-rights activities nationwide. In 1963, King organized a protest in Birmingham, Alabama that resulted in more than 200,000 people marching on Washington, where he gave his famous "I Have A Dream" speech. In 1968, his plans for "Poor People's March to Washington" were interrupted for a trip to Memphis to support sanitation workers who had gone on strike. During that trip, on April 4, 1986, Dr. King was shot and killed as he stood on the balcony of his hotel room at Lorraine Motel.
Four days after his assassination, Representative John Conyers presented legislation to make Martin Luther King, Jr. Day a holiday. It was slowly adopted by the states to become a state-recognized holiday, beginning with Illinois in 1973. Nationally, the bill to establish the holiday was sponsored by Senator Ted Kennedy and was passed by the Senate in October of 1983. A month later, President Reagan signed it and set the day for the third Monday of every January.
Interesting Fact: The famous musician Stevie Wonder was a strong supporter of the movement to make Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday a national holiday. In 1981, he wrote and released one of his most popular songs 'Happy Birthday' to highlight the cause.
We must develop and maintain the capacity to forgive. He who is devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power to love. There is some good in the worst of us and some evil in the best of us. When we discover this, we are less prone to hate our enemies. - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Office Closed - January 17 for MLK Day
January's Recipe
Old Fashioned Fudge Pie
Ingredients:
3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup cocoa
1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 large eggs
1 9-inch unbaked pie shell
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350.
- Melt butter in a large, microwave-safe bowl. Add sugar to melted butter and use a hand mixer or whisk to combine until sugar is mostly dissolved. Add additional ingredients and beat or whisk until well blended.
- Pour into the crust and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the center is set and the toothpick has gooey wet crumbs. Do not overbake.
Tips:
Use a hand mixer for best results. Use a refrigerated pie crust or homemade.
If using a frozen pie shell, only pour the filling to the inside top edge of the pie will overflow. Or you can also use a deep-dish pie shell and adjust the baking times accordingly.
Christmas Crafts 2021
Shopping With The Elves
DICKSON HOUSING AUTHORITY
Sherry Lynch - Executive Director
Phone:615.446.9371 & 615.446.4708
Fax: 615-441-1391
The Dickson Housing Authority's mission is to provide safe, decent, and sanitary housing conditions for low-income families and to manage resources efficiently. The Dickson Housing Authority is to promote personal, economic, and social upward mobility to provide families the opportunity to make the transition from subsidized to non-subsidized housing.
DHA Community Center Gym
8-11 AM Walking
1-3 Adult Free Play
3-4 Youth Free Play
If School is on a scheduled break, the Free Playtime is reversed for Adults and Youth.
Masks ARE Recommended!!!
(Be Aware That Changes May Occur At Any Time)
FYI... Some Things Never Change!!
MAINTENANCE
Non-emergency maintenance issues should be reported to our office during business hours - 7:30 AM - 4:30 PM.
Maintenance Emergencies before/after business hours should be directed to maintenance directly. (See phone numbers listed on the front of each newsletter.)
Emergencies Include:
Suspecting Gas leaks
Water leaks may create a safety hazard or property damage.
No heat/air conditioning in concerning weather conditions.
Flooding
Any situation that may pose danger or property damage.
You will be charged a minimum of $40 for NON-emergency, after-hour calls.
RENT
Rent is due on the 1st of each month.
A $25 late fee will be applied if rent is not paid by 4:30 pm on the 10th.
If rent is not paid by the 15th, an eviction is issued.
Residents are required to report all income changes within 10 days of the change.
Please discuss all income adjustments, changes in the household, employment changes, etc. with Tosha Curtis, Public Housing Manager.
CHARGES
- Trash Collection $10
- Key Replacement $10
- Locks Changed $25
- Lock Out Charge
- After Hours $40
- Disabling Smoke Detectors $50 each
- Monthly Pet Fee $10
- Pet Deposit $300
- Maintenance Labor
- Rate During Hours $23.84 Hr
- Rate After Hours $40.00 Hr