COVID Update: GMAHA Offices Notice (6-1-2020)

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Coronavirus Update: (3-16-2020)

At Greater Metro, we take the housing needs of our clients seriously. On any given day, we are visited by dozens of members of the communities we serve: clients, applicants, landlords, residents and various vendors or suppliers. As public servants, we are here to assist anyone in need in any way we can with the resources available to us; however, during these unprecedented times, we must take the recommended steps to actively and appropriately respond to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) emergency. Our top priority is to ensure the health and safety of all GMAHA’s clients, tenants and staff members.

To achieve this, GMAHA will remain operational during this time, but will follow the guidelines as laid out by the Center for Disease Control and the World Health Organization and work to minimize person to person contact, otherwise known as “social distancing”. In an effort to reduce risk of exposure to COVID-19, we will be closed to the public and all walk-ins until further notice, but this should not create a disruption in services. Case Managers, Property Managers and all other staff will be available via telephone during normal business hours: 8:00 am to 4:00 pm to respond to any of your questions or concerns. Appointments will be conducted by phone and any documentation requested should be sent to staff through regular mail (US Postal Service), rent drop box, email or by texting a photo of the document needed.

At this time, there is no indication that there will be any lapse in the services GMAHA provides, including Housing Assistance Payments as indicated in information recently provided by Housing and Urban Development (HUD). We will continue to monitor the situation closely and will provide more information as it becomes available, including when we will re-open to the public. We appreciate your support and understanding as we strive to help protect our community and its most vulnerable residents. Please continue to check our website at www.gmaharic.org for the most current updates.

Sincerely

Amy S. Clark, CEO

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Welcome to GMAHA of Rock Island County

Greater Metro: We Commit to DO MORE

The face of public housing is changing and GMAHA is ready! As a public partner, GMAHA is focused on creating Communities with Opportunities. By fostering the creation and preservation of affordable housing, we provide the foundation for which a community's success is built. Housing is a home, not just a structure. It provides comfort, as well as financial and emotional stability; it provides opportunities.

Our communities deserve more from its affordable housing providers; we need to DO MORE than just provide and maintain safe and sanitary housing. In today's market, we must make data-driven decisions to effectively serve the Quad Cities by recognizing and addressing the unmet needs of our families and most vulnerable citizens. By introducing innovative programming opportunities, such as Moving to Work and RAD, we aim to DO MORE amazing work!

I am privileged to lead a seasoned team of professionals through repositioning strategies that will provide flexible financing tools to rehabilitate existing, aging housing stock; deconcentrate units in areas of high poverty; create new housing units and expand our agency footprint to include underserved rural markets. Together, we can reimagine and reform affordable housing.

Amy S. Clark, CEO

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Greater Metropolitan Area Housing Authority of Rock Island County Smoke-Free Policy

In accordance with HUD regulations, the Greater Metropolitan Area Housing Authority of Rock Island County has adopted these smoke-free policies. The policies are effective as of July 1, 2018. Due to the increased risk of fire, increased maintenance costs, and the known health effects of secondhand smoke, smoking is prohibited in all living units and interior areas, including but not limited to hallways, rental and administrative offices, community centers, day care centers, laundry centers, and similar structures. Smoking is also prohibited in outdoor areas within 25 feet from public housing and administrative office buildings.

This policy applies to all employees, residents, household members, guests, and service persons. Residents are responsible for ensuring that household members and guests comply with this rule. The term "smoking" means any inhaling, exhaling, burning, or carrying any lighted cigar, cigarette, pipe, or other prohibited tobacco product in any manner or any form. Prohibited tobacco products include water pipes or hookahs. Violation of the smoke-free policy constitutes a violation of the terms of the public housing lease. Consequences of lease violations include termination of tenancy.

MARIJUANA NOTICE

Legalization of recreational marijuana in Illinois

• Recreational marijuana becomes legal in the state of Illinois 01/01/2020
• You must be an adult aged 21 or over
• Legally purchase and possess up to 30 grams
• You will not be able to smoke marijuana in public legally

Federal Regulations regarding marijuana in public housing.

• Your housing is federally assisted and falls under federal regulations
• The Controlled Substances Act, 21 U.S.C Secection 801et.seq., categorizes marijuana as a Schedule 1 substance and therefore the manufacture, distribution, or possession of marijuanna is a federal criminal offense. Because the CSA prohibits all forms of marijuana use, the use of “medical Marijuana”is illegal under federal law even if it is permitted under state law.
• Regardless of the purpose for which legalized under state law, the use of marijuana in any form is illegal under the CSA and therefore is an illegal controll substance.

GMAHA Admissions and Continued Occupancy Policy (ACOP)

• Drug means a controlled substance as defined in section 102 of the Controlled Substances Act [21 U.S.C. 802].
• You must be an adult aged 21 or over
• Drug-related criminal activity means the illegal manufacture, sale, distribution, or use of a drug, or the possession of a drug with the intent to manufacture, sell, distribute, or use the drug.
  • PHA Policy
    The PHA will terminate the lease when the PHA determines that a household member is illegally using a drug or the PHA determines that a pattern of illegal use of a drug interferes with the health, safety, or right to peaceful enjoyment of the premises by other residents.

The GMAHA public housing program lease and applicable addendum

• LEASE TERMINATION BY LANDLORD: Any termination of this Lease shall be carried out in accordance with U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development regulations, State and local law, and the terms of this Lease.
  • any violent or drug-related criminal activity on or off the premises, not just on or near the premises. This includes any Resident, member of the Resident's household or guest, and any such activity engaged in on the premises by any other person under the Resident's control;

MARIJUANA IS A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE UNDER FEDERAL REGULATIONS

Even though recreational marijauna will be legal in the state of Illinois, it is not legal to manufacture, distribute or possess in public housing buildings or on the grounds.

Your lease will be terminated if it is determined that you are possessing a controlled substance on public housing property.

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