The Roving Activist’s Blog

Here is my official write-up of the call from the assistant to Kim Kendrick, Assistant Secretary of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

I got the Call – But it was the same old story
On October 31st, I received a message from Deandra Johnson, the assistant to Kim Kendrick, Assistant Secretary of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity at the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). In the message, she stated that she wanted to touch bases with me regarding the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request that Kim spoke of. According to Ms. Johnson, the FOIA request has not been sent out yet. It is taking longer than they thought it would, but they have not forgotten about us.

I got the message less than ten minutes after it was sent, but as Ms. Johnson stated in her message, she will be out of the office until Wednesday, November 7th. She left her phone number and e-mail address.

My thoughts about the matter are these: Why is it taking so long to get this information? Why would it take a FOIA request to get information that, in my view, one would simply ask for? After all, these are Kim’s colleagues! More important, Secretary Jackson promised ADAPT the information and charged Kim Kendrick with getting the information to ADAPT. Both the Secretary, and Ms. Kendrick are well aware of what happens when they break promises to ADAPT. If they want us to back off, it would behoove them to keep their promise! Perhaps, Secretary Jackson needs to either get the information himself or get serious about leaning on Kim, so that she can get serious about leaning on whomever within HUD who has the information. I, personally, cannot help but think that HUD is stalling and has no intentions of getting the information to ADAPT.

Disheartening, eh? But the saga continues. HUD hasn’t seen or heard the last of ADAPT!

Can you believe it? I finally got the call that I have been waiting for! I received a message from Deandra Johnson, the assistant to Kim Kendrick, Assistant Secretary of Fair Housing and Equal opportunity at the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Remember when Kim came to Rochester and got an ADAPT welcome? She was supposed to give me a call the following day regarding the numbers of Housing Choice and other vouchers that were reclaimed by HUD that were originally earmarked for people with disabilities, but were “accidentally” put back into the general pool of vouchers.

To be honest, I did not expect Kim or Deandra to call me back with numbers; that would have been a miracle of the ADAPT goddess. I expected that I would get the same tired story that they were “working” on it, and indeed, that is what I got, in so many words. She said that the FOIA (Freedom Of Information Act) request that we had discussed was “taking longer than usual”, but that she “just wanted to touch bases with me to let me know that she was still working on it. Sure, Kim, but of course!

I’ll do an official write-up on this for ADAPT, which I will post here.

The saga continues…

The State of Fair Housing Conference
Thursday, October 11th, was a cold, blustery day, but that didn’t stop seven Rochester ADAPT members from attending the 6th Annual State of Fair Housing Conference. This year’s Keynote Speaker was none other than Kim Kendrick, Assistant Secretary of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Anita Cameron, and Terrie Lincoln, Systems Advocates for the Center for Disability Rights (CDR) and the Regional Center for Independent Living (RCIL), respectively, were registered to attend the event, but brought along a few friends to help deliver a message to HUD. Kim Kendrick was supposed to have given ADAPT the numbers of Housing Choice and other vouchers earmarked for people with disabilities that HUD had reclaimed after they were put into the general pool of vouchers. Though Kim had agreed to meet with ADAPT for a few minutes after her presentation, Rochester ADAPT felt that conference attendees should have the opportunity to ponder for themselves, what does HUD REALLY know about Fair Housing?

While Anita and Terrie were attending the presentations, Debbie Bonomo, Jennifer Neufeglise, Shelly Perrin, and the Taggart twins, Pat and Pam, begin passing out leaflets to conference members and organizers. Conference members began entering with telltale pieces of bright orange paper amongst the conference materials. Conference organizers tried to confiscate the fliers from individuals, and when one of the fliers founds its way to Kim, there were whispered apologies all around.

By the time that the lecture ended, Rochester Police had surrounded our fearless crew, and were in the process of escorting them from the property. No one knew who called the police; all of a sudden, they were there demanding to know who was in charge. When Debbie responded, “we all are”, she was told, “you must leave, NOW!” Since the rest of the gang was aware of the plan to try to get them back in for the meeting with Kim, they left. The cops then tried to get Anita and Terrie to leave, even after they explained that they were registered. Suddenly, a woman appeared and told the police that they were with the conference. The woman knew some of the Rochester ADAPTers and was gleefully wondering was there going to be a protest.

What do you do when you’re thrown out, but still have a bunch of flyers left to hand out?

Educate everyone!

The crew was escorted off of the hotel property, at a nearby bus stop. They not only gave flyers to passersby, but to folks who were getting on the bus. The Taggarts even got on each bus and handed out flyers! It was amazing that the bus drivers even allowed this, but they did!

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After Kim’s presentation, where she threw around lots of statistics (40% of the ten thousand Fair Housing discrimination complaints from the state of New York were from people with disabilities!), Terrie and Anita waited to see if she would still meet with ADAPT. There were people crowding around Kim, and it was difficult to get through them, so they waited by the only door in or out of the room. After some time, Terrie’s Lift Line ride came, as did everyone else’s. Anita stayed behind to continue to wait. Finally, Julia Day, with the State Division of Human Rights, stopped by to say hello to Anita. Not being shy about asking for help, Anita asked Julia to ask Kim to come over. Julie came back with a message from Kim that she didn’t want a bunch of yelling in her face. HA!!

Soon after, Kim came over and sat down. She was quite unhappy about the flyers and said that it was unfair of us to slam her with the flyers after she had agreed to meet with us. Anita’s response was, “Ok, I understand. Now about those numbers…”

The meeting lasted about twenty minutes. Kim explained that she didn’t have any numbers, that there were other departments that did. She also suggested getting the numbers from the local Public Housing Authorities. Anita countered that Secretary Jackson charged Kim with getting that information. She went on to remind Kim that the biggest barrier to community living for people with disabilities transitioning from nursing homes and other institutions was the lack of affordable, accessible housing. Anita went on to say that mouthing platitudes such as “I feel your pain”, and “you’re preaching to the choir” is nothing but hot air when HUD doesn’t keep its promises. She advised Kim to “light a fire under the behinds of those staff who are supposed to be getting the information on those numbers to you, because they’re making you look bad, and ADAPT will not back down until you and HUD deliver on your promise.”

Kim then stated that she would call Anita tomorrow, October 12th, whether she had the numbers or not. “If I don’t call, my assistant, Deandra will call you.” As of now, the end of the workday of October 12th, there has been no call for either Kim or Deandra. Perhaps, ADAPT will have to jog her memory – ADAPT style!

I just received a response today from Kim Kendrick, Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity. Despite what her assistant told me the other day, here is Kim’s response:

October 5, 2007
 

Ms. Anita Cameron

497 State Street

Rochester, NY  14608
Dear Ms. Cameron:

Thank you for your invitation to meet with representatives of the Rochester, New York, ADAPT chapter on October 11, 2007.  As we have discussed, I will be available for a brief meeting following my presentation at the 6th Annual State of Fair Housing Conference. 

On September 9, 2007, during my speaking engagement at the ADAPT Forum on Disability Rights in Housing, I outlined a few of HUD’s efforts to address the issue of affordable, accessible and integrated housing.  HUD has executed Voluntary Compliance Agreements with many of the nation’s largest housing authorities and is on course to create almost 5,000 fully accessible units through this enforcement mechanism.  We will continue to create an increased inventory of accessible housing units across the nation through our Section 504 compliance reviews.  In addition, the Department seeks to support the President’s Money Follows the Person Initiative.  I have directed all future Section 504 compliance reviews to include an assessment of public housing authority procedures to ensure that Mainstream and other special purpose vouchers are reassigned to eligible applicants with disabilities. 

The Department is committed to furthering affordable, accessible, and integrated housing.  I look forward to our meeting and hope that we can constructively work together to improve and expand housing opportunities for people with disabilities. 

Sincerely, 

Kim Kendrick                                                               

It will be interesting to see what Kim will have to say to us. I am sure that it will be more of the same old stuff. I will keep you informed.

Some time back, HUD Secretary Alphonso Jackson, along with Kim Kendrick, the Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity at HUD promised ADAPT that they woul let us know how many reclaimed Housing Choice vouchers earmarked for people with disabilities were available after “accidently” being returned to the general pool of Housing Choice vouchers when tenants with disabilities had died or moved. The numbers were supposed to have been given to ADAPT during our Housing Forum back in september when we were in Chicago. Kim showed up empty handed, and needless to say, ADAPT was not pleased.

Well, what do you know — Kim will be in Rochester on the 11th of October as a Keynote Speaker for the 6th Annual State of Fair Housing Conference! Rochester ADAPT wants to meet with her to get those numbers from her. To that end, I wrote a letter, and sent it off yesterday. Let’s see if she responds!

October 2, 2007

Kim Kendrick
Assistant Secretary of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
451 7th Street, SW
Room 5100
Washington, DC 20410

Dear Ms. Kendrick,

Affordable, accessible, integrated housing is critical for persons with disabilities to live independently within our communities. Due to the level of poverty that many of us experience, Housing Choice vouchers represent an important opportunity to obtain affordable housing, particularly for those transitioning from nursing homes or other institutions. Several months ago, Secretary Jackson promised ADAPT that he would disclose the number of Housing Choice vouchers originally earmarked for people with disabilities that had been reclaimed after being put into the general pool of vouchers. This was to be done during the Housing Forum that took place on September 9, 2007 in Chicago, IL. Needless to say, ADAPT was sorely disappointed when you did not have those numbers for us at your visit!

It has come to our attention that you will be in Rochester on October 11, 2007 to address the 6th Annual State of Fair Housing Conference. Rochester has a sizable ADAPT chapter, and would like to meet with you on that date, either before, or after the conference, to discuss the numbers of Housing Choice vouchers earmarked for people with disabilities that HUD has reclaimed. Please contact Anita Cameron at (585) 546-7510 or acameron@rochestercdr.org to make an appointment. We look forward to working with you and Secretary Jackson to ensure that people with disabilities have access to affordable, accessible, integrated housing.
Sincerely,

Anita Cameron

Rochester ADAPT

Sunday began early for me. I went to the new people’s meeting for a bit, then, went to the Color leader’s meeting, which I helped to facilitate. We then got ready for the ADAPT Housing Forum, hosted by Chicago ADAPT members, Beto, and Darryl, as well as Eleanor Smith, from Atlanta. She started Concrete Change, a sister organization that focuses on Visitability and accessble housing. Cassie James, from Philadelphia, also hosted the event.

About 30 of us presented testimony about being institutionalized due to a lack of affordable, accessible, integrated housing. I testified on behalf of Steve Menz, one of our ADAPT members from Rochester, and told the story of Tim Lucas, who was unceremoniously dumped out of a nursing home with nowhere to go, and placed on an emergency basis in housing that was not only inaccessible, but unsafe. he was forced to return to the nursing home until safe, accessible housing could be found. I also read testimony from Anthony Griggs, who languished in a nursing home for almost three years until he could find affordable, accessible housing.

We were directing our testimony to Kim Kendrick, Assistant Secretary of Fair Housing, at HUD, and Paula Blunt. Of course, they told us that “we feel your pain”, and “you’re preaching to the choir”, but they didn’t step up to the plate to give us the numbers of lost Housing Choice vouchers that were set aside for people with disabilities coming out of institutions. Frankly, I’m getting rather tired of it all. I think that HUD has forgotten our power. Perhaps, they need to be reminded.

Forum on Disability Rights in Housing:

Affordable, Accessible, Integrated Housing!

The Crowne Plaza Hotel
733 WEST MADISON CHICAGO, IL 60661
Sunday September 9, 2007
10AM-12:30PM, 2PM-4PM
“Housing… a Matter of Justice”

The discussion will focus on our
NATIONAL ADVOCACY COMMITMENT FOR SYSTEMS CHANGE IN HOUSING

HUD Fair Housing Assistant Secretary Kim Kendrick will speak

10AM - 12:30PM

Access Across America,
What is it? How will it work?

Access to Integration Campaign
The redirection of HUD’s 811 Supportive Housing program funds to mandate integrated construction and an increase of the Mainstream voucher program

National Visitability Legislation
The Inclusive Home Design Act

12:30 - 2:00PM - LUNCH/BREAK

2:00 - 4:00PM - Consumer testimony to public officials

4:00PM - Adjourn and FREE OUR PEOPLE!

Here is some good news…

Secretary Jackson issues follow up MFP letter to PHAs

On July 9th, HUD Secretary Jackson issued a follow up letter on MFP and the Housing Authorities.  Below is a link to get a pdf  copy.  Among other things, the Secretary encourages the PHA Executive Directors to work with CILs, P&As, community and advocacy groups that work with people with disabilities.  In addition his letter asks the Directors to write to HUD, by August 31st, with details about how they are implementing the MFP Rebalancing Initiative

Here is the link to the full letter.

http://www.hud.gov/offices/fheo/disabilities/MFP-RebalancingMemo.PDF. 

Please feel free to share his letter with your colleagues and partners.

ADAPT also had a successful meeting with HUD and Rep. Barney Frank, and Rep. Maxine Waters!

I’ll let Chris sum up the week…

So – What DID we GET?

Throughout the day Wednesday, as all of ADAPT did Congressional visits, a few members went back to visit the staff of Chairman John Dingell.  Through the course of this meeting, which was not the most pleasant meeting ever, we did secure EXACTLY what we were asking for on Monday – a COMMITMENT to have a congressional hearing on the Community Choice Act during the fall of 2007! 

Meanwhile, Pennsylvania ADAPTers met with CCA sponsor Arlen Specter and got him to send a letter to the Senate Finance Committee requesting a hearing on the CCA in the Senate.  That evening, ADAPT received word that the Senate Finance Committee chair had agreed as well!  A Senate hearing on the CCA to take place in the fall of 2007!

HUD Secretary Alfonso Jackson agreed to find a way within HUD to reclaim vouchers that are supposed to be used specifically to transition people OUT of nursing facilities, but are currently being used as part of the general Section 8 pool.  Also, Secretary Jackson’s commitment to arrange a meeting between himself, ADAPT, and the House and Senate chairs of the committees overseeing accessible, affordable, integrated housing!  That meeting could be huge!

A commitment from the American Hospital Association to meet with ADAPT to discuss discharge procedures that will lead to people going HOME, instead of being forced into nursing facilities! 

And, at least one of our local Congressional Representatives committing to becoming a cosponsor of the Community Choice Act! 

A week of A LOT of WORK – and A LOT of ACCOMPLISHMENT!

Here is a link to Arlen Specter’s letter:

http://dread1mynproductions.com/specterletter.jpg

Here’s Arlene:

Tuesday- Day Three

The day started with a presentation by Alfonso Jackson, the Secretary of HUD. What was interesting was that the meeting was on ADAPT turf– and Secretary Jackson came to us! http://ngallery.adapt.org/displayimage.php?album=lastup&cat=10006&pos=5

While he did not come with housing vouchers in his pocket, he did come with a deadline for action– September 2007! So, the group pledge to hold him to his promise of housing vouchers and other actions that support the ADAPT Access Across American Campaign. He also spoke with Willie Daughtery, and shook, hands with Joe Wheeler! Next on the to do list– a midday stroll through the Capitol district!

Four hundred activists hit the streets of Washington, D.C. The focal point of today’s Washington, D.C. tour was the American Hospital Association. This organization’s practice of direct nursing home placement, without consumer assistance in returning to home, or provision of knowledge of community based service options perpetuates the institutional bias of the medical profession. This group of protesters filled the lobby of the building, and its environs, effectively shutting down the building. The goal - to seek a meeting with the CEO, to discuss processes for transitioning patients for return to the community. The group was able to have a meeting brokered by the Capitol Police. A promise of a meeting within thirty days was arranged, with the topic of discussion revamping the hospital discharge process, and the philosophy of it.

Before leaving, one of the Capitol police commended us for our work, being civil in our disobedience and shared his personal experience about a family member with a head injury. He wished us luck in our pursuit of a meeting, and stated that if they did not meet with us, he expects to see us back again next year. Hurrah! Tomorrow back to Capitol Hill!

Me:

My fellow jailbirds and I, along with all the other ADAPT folks were up early, and assembled in our meeting room to await the arrival of HUD Secretary, Alphonso Jackson. To be honest, I was unimpressed by his rhetoric; I’d heard it many times before, and I’ll believe it when he comes through with something tangible. Show me!

Next, we got ready to hit the American Hospital Association. They have a practice of discharging people with disabilities from the hospital straight to a nursing home, instead of the person’s own home. We wanted to meet with them to work on ending the practice. I was one of the one who took over the entrance to the undeground parking garage. needless to say, some folks who wanted in or out were not happy with us! We kept the chants and songs going loud and strong with the help of Todd, the resident ham.

Finally, Sgt. Constible, of the Capital Police, came down with Bruce to let us know that they were negotiating a meeting with the Vice-President and CEO. These folks did not want to come down to talk with us because they were literally, scared! They promised us a meeting in 30 days, but would not put it in writing, saying that they wanted to build a relationship of trust. Personally, I thought that it was bull, as they seemed to be the ones operating on fear, but oh well. One consolation is that if they mess with us, we know where their headquarters are, and we’ll be in that neighborhood in the fall.

Back to the hotel we went to prepare for the next day’s hard work.