BRENHAM HOUSING AUTHORITY RESIDENT FACING EVICTION
A resident of the Brenham Housing Authority (BHA) is facing eviction after being told she is ineligible for the housing authority program based on income she is not yet making.
Sonceria Robinson has lived at the Northview Village Apartments since December 2019, and received a renewal packet in August. In July, Robinson became self-employed, so she listed her projected income upon attempting to renew.
According to Robinson, she has been informed that she violated a Section 8 credit law in regards to the amount of money she is expecting to make, falling into a tax bracket that makes her ineligible for the program. Robinson said she expects to make $150,000 annually through her self-employment; however, she claims she has not yet begun to make any revenue.
In a statement, BHA Executive Director Ben Menjares said Northview Village receives funding through the tax credit program, and as such, the housing authority has agreed to rent the units to low income families. The program measures income by what the tenant is anticipated to receive, and tenants are relied on in cases of self-employment to self-certify what they expect to earn. He said if a tenant disagrees with the housing authority’s decision regarding eligibility, he or she can request an informal hearing.
Robinson claims she was not aware that this was a tax credit apartment complex upon moving in. She has inquired about being provided graphs or formulas showing how she fell out of the proper income bracket and violated tax code, but claims she has been denied that information. She also said she has spoken with other residents who have experienced similar circumstances or situations, and wishes the housing authority would have a liaison in order to more easily hear any complaints or concerns raised by tenants.
In September, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued an agency order, effective through December 31st, which halts residential evictions for nonpayment of rent for renters who meet certain criteria. However, the order reads that individuals covered under it expect to earn no more than $99,000 in annual income for the 2020 calendar year.
Robinson is organizing a meeting Thursday at 5 p.m. at the Northview Village basketball courts, where she will gather input and comments from other tenants. She encourages any tenant who wishes to make a statement at the meeting to bring it in writing. She will present comments received to the BHA Board of Commissioners at a future meeting.