New Haven Independent

The emerging Tenant Residence Council determined to address those problems head on at a monthly meeting Wednesday night at the rebuilt mixed-income public housing complex on the Quinnipiac River.

The tenants wrestled with where their role begins and where it ends in tackling problems at their complex.

Joshua Xavier (pictured) was well supervised by his mom Johanna Ortiz at the meeting held in Q Terrace’s expansive community room. Ortiz said she is concerned about older kids with b.b. guns and far too much smoking of weed out in the open.

“I pay my rent,” she said, “and I don’t want to see these things. I expect them to be taken care of.”

“Report it to the Tenant Residence Council (TRC),” said its president, Carla Johnson (on the right in photo). “That’s what we’re here for.”

“Or,” added Rochelle Bostick, the no-nonsense vice president, “talk to the property manager. Or put the message anonymously in the drop box, and we’ll follow up.”

The renovated Q Terrace has been open for about two years. The initial TRC established a year and a half ago did not get off the ground, according to Demetria McMillan, the development’s family support manager.

“It’s partly because the development opened in phases,” she said. “But now we’re all together.”

McMillan came on in November and helped organize the TRC. An election was held about two months ago, bringing Johnson, Bostick and three other residents to leadership roles.

“The challenge,” said Johnson, “is to communicate to the tenants that we’re here to work with them, and to get more of them involved and to attend so we can solve these problems together and take pride in where we live.”

The meeting was fairly well attended, with some 25 parents and kids participating in the casual atmosphere. Still, Q Terrace has 131 units on Front Street with another 29 located on Quinnipiac Ridge across the river.

“By word of mouth,” said Johnson, “people will start coming. And there’s power in unity.

“The property manager is here only 8 to 5. But we live here. We need to solve our problems together.”

Unleashed pets were discussed. The housing authority lease forbids them. Furthermore, all pets have to be registered. None can be over 20 pounds. Plus no pit bulls.

Zaquava Cox, who works for Wynn Management, the subcontractor hired by the city housing authority to manage Q Terrace, said that two pit bulls were already confiscated.

“There’s still another pit bull out there,” someone said.

“Let us know where it is and we’ll follow up.”

Likewise, Johnson pointed out, if neighbors litter badly, the TRC or property manager or McMillan must be notified.

“We’re all in this together,” Johnson kept reminding her fellow tenants. “Trash attracts you know what, and I don’t want anything with four legs getting into my apartment that I don’t give permission to.”

By far the biggest concern were kids out too late, racing about, throwing balls and rocks that damage homes and cars.

“I’ve tried to talk to the grandparents of some of the kids doing this, and it doesn’t do any good,” said Johanna Ortiz.

Jessica Walker, whose grandkids were visiting her, said, “The supervision has to begin at home. The parents of these kids should be fined. Seriously fined. Like $500.”

That position failed to attract immediate support, Carla Johnson did say that it is in the HANH lease that parents can be fined for the unsupervised and detrimental activity of their kids.

“We’re not here to boss you around,” she noted.

Bostick added, “But if kids curse parents, and parents can’t handle them or hold them accountable, we have to find a way to solve this together. Believe me, I did not move back here to have my house destroyed. I come home from work and I want to be able to sleep without kids racing wildly through the property.”

In a HOPE VI development like Q Terrace, families with personal problems are supposed to go to the family support manager, in this case, McMillan. Problems with broken faucets and the like go to the property manager, Cox. But it’s the job of the TRCs to build a sense of community. They are the collective voice of the place and set a tone and potentially can do a lot with their all-volunteer board and a small budget of some $1800 or so for events, hot dogs, parties.

Johnson felt positive about the meeting. “Word will spread, momentum is growing.”