LOP MAG 'Uncovering Cleveland' FINAL | Page 34

THE HOT SEAT

W/ SOUND OFF SALLY

Hi everybody, this is Sound-off Sally, and like many of you, I am occasionally irritated by a company, or service or individual to the point of ‘something’s got to be done’ about this (before I catch a case)! Well the pen is mightier than the sword and the tongue is sharper.

In the “Hot Seat” this month is Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority (C.M.H.A) a.k.a Crack Meth Heroin Agency. C.M.H.A employs some of the biggest liars and swindlers in the housing industry. They are ripping-off residents and the government agencies. ANYONE who has ever had dealings with C.M.H.A know exactly what I’m talking about!

The application process is ridiculous! Then the waiting period is 1-5 years for an apartment. Okay, you got the letter; you got the apartment; now you can rest easy, right?, WRONG!! Now the fun begins!

During the application process, C.M.H.A sends someone to where you are currently living to check-out your ‘house-keeping’ abilities. However, after you move-in, they are only concerned at ‘HUD’ inspection time. The buildings are vermin infested and raggedy. C.M.H.A’s idea of extermination is a joke. You call maintenance for a repair and IF they answer, you might get service in about 2-3 months. I once turned on my water and it came out gritty black and yellow. I called maintenance and they told me to just let the water run. Once I saw a man in the parking lot of my building attacking cars and screaming at people. I called the C.M.H.A Police (FYI, Cleveland police will not come on C.M.H.A property) and they asked me his name, what he’s wearing, his height, weight, and was he high on something: HELL I DIDN’T KNOW I WAS IN A 3rd FLOOR WINDOW. The police never came out, I could fill-up this magazine with stories worse than these, but you get the idea.

C.M.H.A is in violation of their own lease. We, the residents, are not provided with safe, clean and secure housing. Yet everyone complains but they won’t ‘band together’ together to force change. C’mon fellow residents of C.M.H.A let’s band together and force the much needed changes.