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May 2025 Newsletter

Van Buren Housing Authority Community News May 2025

Reminders:

  • Office hours are Monday - Thursday from 7:30 AM - 6:00 PM
  • For AFTER-HOURS EMERGENCIES call 479.474.6901 (follow the prompts)

Upcoming Events:

  • Mother's Day - Sunday 5/11/25
  • National Police Week - 5/11/25-5/17/25
  • Memorial Day - 5/26/25 ***VBHA Will Be Closed***

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Letter From the Director

Dear Residents,

As we welcome the month of May, I hope this message finds you and your families well. With warmer weather and the school year coming to a close, it's an exciting time in our community, and we have several important updates and upcoming events to share with you.

First, I am pleased to invite you to join us for a Police Appreciation Lunch on Wednesday, May 14, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the Community Center. This event is a wonderful opportunity to thank our local law enforcement officers for their service and dedication. We encourage residents to stop by, show your appreciation, and enjoy a meal together with our community's finest.

In partnership with the local Rotary Club, we are also excited to announce plans for a Peace Garden that will be built next to the Community Center. This garden will be a peaceful space for reflection and connection, and we look forward to involving residents in its creation over the coming months.

As a reminder, the last day of school is May 21, and we want to congratulate all of our students on another year of hard work and growth. With summer right around the corner, we are actively planning our Summer Camp program, which will begin in June. Please stay tuned for more details in the coming weeks, including registration information and program dates.

Thank for continuing to make our community a vibrant and welcoming place for all. As always, our team is here to support you - please don't hesitate to reach out with questions, ideas, or concerns.

Warm regards,
Dayna Cochran

HUD Plans to Close Offices in 34 States, Sparking Concerns

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) may close field offices in 34 states and Washington D.C., which could leave some states without any HUD office. This may hurt services like mortgage help, affordable housing programs, and disaster relief for low-income communities.

Key Concerns

  • Reduced Services: Delays in mortgage processing, housing support, and fair housing enforcement.
  • Community Impact: Low-income people may lose access to important housing programs.
  • Legal Issues: By law, HUD must have at least one office in each state, so closures could be challenged.
  • Lawmakers' Response: Some members of Congress oppose the plan and are pushing for investigations.

What Might Happen Next

  • HUD may need Congress's approval to move forward.
  • Reports may be required to show how the closures affect communities.
  • Congress could investigate why HUD is making this move.

What HUD Office Closure Could Mean for Public Housing Residents

  1. Slower Help
  2. It might take longer to get help with housing, rent issues, or repairs.
  3. Less Oversight
  4. There may be fewer people checking to make sure housing is safe and fair.
  5. Slower Disaster Response
  6. After storms or emergencies, help from HUD might take longer to arrive.
  7. Harder to Get Information
  8. Without local offices, it may be harder to ask questions or get updates.
  9. Fewer New Housing Programs
  10. New housing projects or upgrades to current buildings could slow down.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is planning to close offices in many states, which could affect housing services and support. While this news may feel uncertain, please know that our community is strong and we will continue to work together to make sure residents get the help they need. Local leaders and lawmakers are speaking up, and we will keep pushing to protect our housing programs. We've faced challenges before - and we'll get through this one too.

Love Your Lease: Lawn Care

The tenant shall maintain grounds and landscaped areas in the front and rear of individual dwellings, such maintenance is to include mowing and trimming of lawns, edging of walks, backs of curbs, the weeding of lawns and weeding of cultivation or cultivation and watering of shrub beds. (The lawn area shall include the back of the building line to the back of the curb on city streets). In the event of the failure of the tenant to so maintain the grounds and areas as provided in this paragraph, then the landlord at its option may do so and charge the actual costs therefore to the tenant, which costs shall become additional rent payable hereunder.

It is the tenant's responsibility to mow their yard once a week. Yards will be checked every Thursday. If your yard needs to be mowed/weeded, the maintenance department will leave a warning notice with a deadline to get it done. If it has not been done by the deadline, the maintenance department charges $25.00 to mow and $20.00 to weed eat.

Easy Tips for Keeping Your Yard in Shape

  1. Mow Once a Week: Regular mowing keeps your grass healthy and easier to manage. Don't let it get too long.
  2. Pull Weeds Often: Check for weeds once a week. Pulling them early keeps them from spreading.
  3. Trim Edges: Use a weed eater or trimmer to clean up along sidewalks, curbs, and fences. It makes a big difference!
  4. Pick Up Trash or Debris: Clear leaves, sticks, or litter regularly to keep things neat and prevent pests.
  5. Watch the Weather: Keep an eye on the forecast so you can mow before it rains. Wet grass is harder to cut and can damage your mower.
  6. Keep Tools Handy: Store basic tools like a mower, rake, and trimmer where you can get to them easily.