I have been in tha "Moe" since 1974, and with the exceptions of being displaced a couple of times, Tha "Moe" has always been home to me.
Back in the days, the sight of the 12 story concrete jungle may have been an eyesore to some, but when it came down to community, it was one of the best ones we ever had. It was the time of Matriarchs like CarolX, Ms. Brown, Clo b., Deborah Jean, Ms. Lee, Granny flannigan and Babs Dow. These Mamas played important roles in the hood- like community presidents, vice presidents, child care directors, housing assistants, regulators and in some cases, troublemakers. They held it down and made sure we stuck together no matter what the shortcomings may have been. But when the near-earthquake proof towers fell, little did we know that the history and traditions of "community" would crumble and fall along wit the stones.
Now, in the 2000's, the memories of the old days are long gone and replaced with nice looking townhomes, flats and private investors (McCormack, Barron, Reagan). SFHA gave "OC" a makeover (Hope iv). Although it wasn't exactly as the original tenants had mapped out, nonetheless most folks were ok with the overall outcome.
I moved back to "OC" after a temporary displacement in 2001. I was unemployed, single mama, and raising a family. Times were tough and a few other families along with mine would often band together, to scrape up "two's and fews" to make sure we made it from month to month. Early on we began to encounter these problems that were suspect when a few other families and I began to see bills for unpaid rent for months that were certainly paid. Granted, there were times when families fell back on bills due to loss of income, battling personal demons, or the slow process of the system, but every time one bill (who is bill?) was taken care of, here comes another mysterious "YOU OWE" bill pertaining to rent, a late fee or for minor house repairs that was done six months prior. As soon as the tenants brought this issue up to "ATTENTION" level, the employees at the property office had either moved or got transferred to a different plantation where the drama continued, and without retribution. Once again, myself and other tenants here are catching hell from those who run the property office.
From December 2010 I had struggled with my employment of 7 and a half years due to painful injuries and depression. In the year of 2011, I didn't work a total of 4 months. Per protocol, I communicated with the office, letting them know my situation and submitting documentation. The nice woman whom I first kept a strong line of communication with suddenly disappeared (word from other tenants is that she was fired under strange circumstances), and all my submitted paperwork was gone, except for the form my former employer faxed to them verifying I was terminated while out on disability leave. But let the manager tell it, I didn't go through these troubled times, I've been working and just stopped paying rent. That is not the case with me I am catching this hell because not only was my file mismanaged, but important documents vanished.
On several occasions I attempted to communicate with these folks at the office with some difficulty. To ask a single question required a appointment, and when I was successful in reaching staff, the only response I received was a notice to vacate, which was taped on my door by a strange lady who sped away on her bike before I could even open the door. After the bike lady's visit the folks at the property office refused to speak with me at all, other than advising me to speak with an attorney. Now I am dealing with the constant battle of rude, cocky lawyers who get away with not presenting proper paperwork, stalling the case for god knows what and perjury. This whole experience feels like an upgraded version of "Good Times" as they insult me with their smirks. I ponder on how messed up the world is that people like this who rule over our jobs and housing are able to treat peoples' lives with such contempt and with impunity. Now there is a wave of tension, anger, stress and mistrust when it comes to dealing with the "office". Tenants slowly ban together, unsure of who's who because there are eyes and ears living among us that are not on our side. The tenant meetings are small and the community spirit is damped, with the exception of the few that have faith in our struggle....
To be continued