May 2024 E-Newsletter

ANNUAL AGENCY PLAN AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW

The Housing Authority of Conway has prepared for review and comment, an Annual Agency Plan for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2024. These documents have been posted and are available for review from May 1, 2024 to June 3, 2024 at the Administrative Office located at 2303 Leonard Avenue, Conway, SC 29527.

PUBLIC HEARING SET TO DISCUSS PLAN

A public hearing will be held at the Housing Authority's office on June 4, 2024 at 2:00 pm. to receive any public comments on the documents.

COMMUNITY HEALTH FAIR PLANNED

Health Care Partners will be hosting a Community Health Fair at the Darden Terrace Community Park on Saturday, May 4, 2024 from 11:00am to 2:00pm. Come and find out information regarding your overall health and wellness. There will be food, drinks, a DJ, giveaways and more!

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS TO MEET

 A monthly Board of Commissioners meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 14, 2024 at 5:30 p.m. in the Commissioners' room at the Huckabee Heights Office located at 2303 Leonard Avenue, Conway, SC 29527.

HOUSING AUTHORITY TO CLOSE FOR MEMORIAL DAY

The Housing Authority of Conway will be closed on Monday, May 27, 2024 for the Memorial Day holiday. Our office will reopen on Tuesday, May 28, 2024 at 7:00 am.

HOUSING AUTHORITY APARTMENTS ARE SMOKE FREE

 Smoking is not allowed inside the apartments. Residents should smoke near the streets far away from the apartments. Smoking inside the apartments is a violation of the Housing Authority of Conway House Rules. Pamphlets are available at the front office for information on Smoke Free Public Housing.  

SENIOR BINGO PLANNED FOR MAY

Senior bingo will be held on the following dates and times for residents age 55 and older.

Huckabee Heights

Senior Bingo will be held at the Huckabee Heights Community Center, located at 2303 Leonard Avenue, Conway, SC 29527, from 10:30 am. to 11:30 am. on Thursday, May 9, 2024. Lunch will be provided. Please join us!! Call 843-248-7327 ext. 100 to RSVP by Tuesday, May 6, 2024.

Lee Haven

Senior Bingo will be held at the Lee Haven Community Center, located at 1401 A1 Holt Circle, Conway, SC 29526, from 10:30 am. to 11:30 am. on Thursday, May 23, 2024. Lunch will be provided. Please join us!! Call 843-248-7327 ext. 100 to RSVP by Monday, May 20, 2024.

REGISTER NEW VEHICLES/TURN IN EXPIRED TEMPORARY PERMITS

If you purchased a new vehicle and haven't received a parking permit from the office bring your new vehicle information to the main office so that a permit can be issued. Failure to register your vehicle may result in your car being towed at the owner's expense. If you were issued a Temporary Parking permit and it has expired please turn it in to the front office. A car with an expired parking permit is subject to tow at the owner's expense. 

BAN LIST HAS BEEN UPDATED

 The Ban list has been updated. Please check your local community center or the main office at Huckabee Heights for the updated ban list.

REPORT CARD REWARDS AVAILABLE FOR STUDENTS

The Housing Authority will give all students ages 6-18, a $10.00 gift card from Wal-Mart if they make all B's and above on their report card. When you receive your report card, you will need to bring a copy to the office so we can verify your grades. You must be a Public Housing Resident in order to receive the gift card. Reports cards 30 days past issue date will not be accepted.

HORRY COUNTY BOOKMOBILE VISITS PLANNED

The Horry County Memorial Library Bookmobile will visit the Huckabee Heights community every 2nd & 4th Thursday at 3:00 p.m. and the Darden Terrace community every 1st & 3rd Thursday at 3:00 p.m.

PET POLICY

All pets must be registered at the Housing Authority. If you have a pet that has not been registered, you will need to contact your property manager to see what all is needed to register your pet. All pets must be kept inside your home. Anytime the pet is outside it must be on a leash. Please refer to the HAC's Pet Policy. If at any time your pet is outside without a leash and roaming the neighborhood the dog pound may be called to pick up the pet.

RENTER'S INSURANCE

The Housing Authority encourages residents to purchase renter's insurance for coverage of household belongings in the case of theft, loss or damage. (A fact information sheet is included in this newsletter).

AFTER HOURS/EMERGENCY MAINTENANCE 

Call either of the following three numbers in the event of an emergency after normal work hours or weekends: (843) 283-5941, (843) 283-5945 or (843) 283-5943. If you call please give them an hour to call you back. After an hour, call again. If you are still unable to reach someone, call (843) 283-5940.

PET SHOT RECORDS MUST BE UPDATED ANNUALLY

Pet shot records are to be updated yearly. If you haven't provided your pet's most recent shot record bring a copy to the office at 2303 Leonard Avenue. If you have any questions, please contact your property manager.

PEST CONTROL DATES ANNOUNCED FOR MAY

Residents of Huckabee Heights, Darden Terrace, and Scattered Sites: A technician from Harris Pest Control will be in your unit to spray on Monday, May 6, 2024 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Residents of Holt Gardens, Lee Haven, Sanders Village, and Scattered Sites: A technician from Harris Pest Control will be in your unit to spray during the week of Monday, May 20, 2024 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

 If you are having a problem with roaches and/or mice, please inform the technician upon arrival. If you are having a problem, you will need to empty cabinets and closets, and move items away from the walls before the technician arrives. This service cannot be refused without a doctor's excuse in your file. As always, thank you in advance for your cooperation.

REFUSAL OF PEST CONTROL SERVICES

The Housing Authority of Conway has been notified that some residents are refusing Pest Control services. Medical documentation must be in your file in order to be exempt from this service. Please make sure your screen doors are unlocked so the technician has access to get into your home to spray. This is a violation of your lease and failure to comply may result in termination of your lease.

TRASH CAN REMINDERS

The Housing Authority of Conway would like to remind residents that trash cans must be pulled back by 7 p.m. on trash days. Failure to comply will result in a fine being charged to the resident's account. Continuous failure to abide by the policy may result in more punitive actions.

UPDATED CONTACT INFORMATION NEEDED

We ask that you please provide us with your current phone number and email address if you have changed it recently. This information is needed to stay in touch with you regarding concerns and past due balances. You are not required to provide this information; however, we strongly encourage you to do so in the event there is an emergency that occurs and you are not at home, and to prevent unnecessary late fees or other issues with your account. Please contact the Property Manager for your development at the following locations to update your information:                   

Huckabee Heights - Laronda extension 102

Darden Terrace/Scattered Sites - Michelle extension 101

Holt Gardens/ Lee Haven/Sanders - Kristin extension 109

MONTHLY YARD INSPECTIONS TO BE HELD

Property managers will be performing monthly inspections of your outside perimeters. We ask that you keep the outside of your unit clean. The only furniture allowed on your porch are lawn/outside furniture only. After a warning ticket has been issued a fine of $25 will be charged to your account.   

Please report any light pole outages in your neighborhood to the front office at (843) 248-7327, ext. 100

NOTICE TO RESIDENTS REGARDING TOILETS AND SINKS
Tenants need to be aware drain clogs in their homes may incur tenant charges to repair the clog. We recommend some things that may prevent clogs from occurring:

1. Buy strainers for both kitchen and bath sinks to prevent food particles, hair, etc., that may go down the drain.
2. Do not pour hot grease down the drains.   
3. Only flush toilet tissue. Do not flush wipes, heavy duty paper towels, feminine napkins, etc., because they do clog the pipes. Failure to prevent clogs will result in the tenant being charged for unclogging drains. 

FRIENDLY REMINDER ABOUT LATE CHARGES
Rent payments are due on the 1st of each month. Late charges will be added on the 5th at 4 p.m. If balances are not paid by the 14th a magistrate fee in the amount of $88 will be added to your account. Payments are accepted during normal business hours (Monday through Thursday 7 a.m.- 4 p.m.). Payments can also be made online. If you need assistance in making online payments contact the property manager for your development. Verify if you owe an outstanding balance when you come into the office.

PLEASE DON'T REMOVE SMOKE ALARMS

Taking down smoke alarms or failure to keep them in operational condition is a serious health and safety violation. It is important that all issues with smoke alarms are reported to the front office. Replacement batteries are installed and provided for free by the Housing Authority. However, if you remove the smoke alarm or make no effort to contact the office to initiate a work order for repair, you may be subject to a $25 fine. This is important for the safety of your family in the event of a fire.

PARKING PERMIT REMINDER FOR RESIDENTS

All tenant vehicles must be properly registered through the main office. Properly registered vehicles will be issued a HAC Parking Permit, which authorizes those vehicles to be parked in the community. For Huckabee, Sanders Village, and Darden Terrace communities, all unregistered vehicles (not displaying a HAC parking Permit) are NOT permitted to be parked within the community, and must be parked in the designated "Guest/Visitor" parking lot ONLY. All unregistered vehicles parking within the community are subject to tow at the owner's expense. Exceptions may be granted by the office staff only. HAC parking permits may be obtained at the HAC Main Office, please make certain to bring your Driver's License, SC Vehicle Registration Card, Proof of Insurance to obtain your permit. One space is provided for each unit. Only residents with a valid HAC Parking Permit/Sticker are allowed in driveways. Parking spaces are not assigned; however, we suggest you park in front of your unit. 

GUEST PARKING: Guests are restricted to parking in designated "Guest/Visitor" parking areas only. Any vehicle parked in a driveway not displaying an approved HAC Parking Permit or an approved HAC Parking Pass may be subject to a fine (billed to resident), and/or tow at the owner's expense. ALL GUESTS NEED A PARKING PERMIT IF THEY WILL BE IN THE AREA FOR MORE THAN ONE DAY. Please bring your Driver's License, SC Vehicle Registration Card, and Proof of Insurance to obtain your Temporary pass. 

PARKING ON THE GRASS: Residents are provided parking at each community and are NOT allowed to park on the Housing Authority's grass/grounds. Residents and/or their guest caught parking on the grass will result in a $25 fee being assessed to the responsible resident. The responsible Resident will also be held accountable for any actual cost of repairs if serious damage occurs. The third violation of this policy will be considered a major lease violation and may result in lease termination.

PARKING ON THE STREETS: Residents/Guests are not permitted to park on the streets. No parking on the street signs are posted in our communities and the Conway Police Department will issue citations and/or have cars towed at the owner's expense.

FACT SHEET: THE ABC's OF RENTERS INSURANCE 

If you're a renter, you may not think you need insurance at all. But you may not realize that your landlord's policy doesn't cover any of your personal property. What would happen to your belongings if: 

• Your apartment building burned down?
• A thief broke into your town house?
• A guest slipped and injured himself in your kitchen?
• The home you're renting suffered water damage?
• Excavation next to your building damages your building, forcing you to vacate? 

Without renter's insurance, you've got no coverage for personal property loss or damage. Fortunately, you can get affordable renter's insurance to protect you in situations like these. 

Standard Coverage: 

Every basic renter's insurance policy will come with two main protections: 1) Physical damage coverage and 2) liability coverage. The physical damage component of the policy will pay out benefits if the belongings you store in your rental are lost or damaged. For instance, if your computer equipment were stolen from your apartment, the physical damage portion of your policy would reimburse you. Secondly, renter's insurance policies offer liability coverage. This portion of the policy will pay for your legal defense and any judgments against you if you are sued for an accident or injury that occurred on your property. Some policies include another important type of coverage: Relocation costs in the event your apartment is damaged by a fire or by construction next door that undermines your building's foundation. It's important that you ask if the standard policy includes relocation costs. If not, ask that this be added to the policy. 

Types of physical damage covered: 

In the insurance industry, the typical renters' insurance policy is known as "HO-4" coverage. This type of policy will protect you from 17 different perils, including:

• Falling objects
• Smoke
• Vandalism
• Wind and hail damage
• Water-related damage from home utilities 

Policy Offerings: 

Be sure to get insurance that provides "replacement cost coverage" rather than "actual cash value (ACV) coverage". With actual cash value renters' coverage, the insurance company will only pay you for the present-day value of the lost or damaged item(s). For instance, you may have bought a computer two years ago for $900, but after factoring in depreciation, the computer may only be worth $200, which is all you will be reimbursed. On the other hand, with replacement cost coverage, your insurer will pay out whatever it would cost to buy the lost or damaged item new today, which could be $900 or more to replace your computer. 

Shop for the best policy: You should get a price quote for the annual cost of the Renters Insurance from at least two companies. We don't recommend any company in particular. The following companies all underwrite Renters Insurance policies: Allstate, Castle Rock Agency, Farmers, Geico, Nationwide, State Farm. Give some of them a call and find a policy you can afford.