Kamiah Block Party NEZ PERCE TRIBAL HOUSING AUTHORITY F O U R T H Q U A R T E R

Transcription

1 NEZ PERCE TRIBAL HOUSING AUTHORITY Lapwai Office: PO Box 188 Lapwai, ID Fax Kamiah Office: 105 Riverview Ave Kamiah, ID Fax F O U R T H Q U A R T E R Kamiah Block Party The Nez Perce Tribal Housing Authority hosted its first Kamiah Block Party on September 28th at the Riverview Playground. Kamiah tenants and community members enjoyed summer sun with food and door prizes. Seven Tribal departments and local vendors were available giving out information about various resources. Children enjoyed a jumpy castle and winning prizes alongside their parents. NPTHA is excited about the attendance where 24 children and 43 adults attended the Block Party and enjoyed hotdogs and door prizes along with community spirit. I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E : Thank You Jane 2 Home buyer Class Calendar 3 Win $200 Save $ on Taxes 4 4 Grant to help you Maintain your home 5 Holiday Safety Banner Bank Grant Ceiling Rents 7 Thank you Julian 8

2 P A G E 2 BLOW OUT CAULKING CHIMNEY DOORMATS DRAFTS DUCTS FIREPLACE GUTTERS HEATING ICEMELT INSULATE PREVENTION PROTECT ROOF REPAIR SALT SHIELD SEALANT SMOKE ALARM STORM DOORS STORM WINDOWS TURN OFF VENTILATING WATER WEATHERIZE WEATHER STRIPPING WRAP FAUCETS Winter Preparedness C F G Q E Q J H I R U S T D N S W W S G A H X X Q A E Y I C T H N R O K E E W U L D I N W A K A N O T H A A I D A A X T J Q Y M T Z P Q R E H J L F T P T T J T S C S I N E K M Y H Z N A T N V H H B E M V N T R E W U Z O B V E S E Z E E I R N G G F E I Y H Z E T X S E V P R R G S S Q O N N C B L O W O U T P E A I S N X F O Y D V S U K J D S V W D R O Z T I E R G O G N I T A L I T N E V P Y E R K I D W Q M A R O O F L E U I J V N I I L W S G Y L P Z I X R P T C R V T V D P U Z Y Q U A B N P S K M A C A N M S Z P A Y D L E I H S T L A S D R E L O J B I C I S M O K E A L A R M B O W T P F V N L A L L M M M T L E M E C I O D O E F G S Z F L K R I N S U L A T E U R G R R M P J L D O J C K R E T A W C V Y S T P I N S U O V O V A U Y F J T H D W E D J H F S D D P Y W O T K X S M D D N Q B I D K Q Thank you Jane Johnson! In October, Jane Johnson celebrated her 15 year anniversary with the NPTHA. Jane started with the NPTHA as an Account Technician and after 5 years moved into the Finance Manager Position. With her background in finance, Jane s knowledge and experience gives her the opportunity to contribute to the operations of the NPTHA, while at the same time learning about the Nez Perce people and its culture. When I was hired, I honestly didn t think about being with the NPTHA for 15 years, but now I can t imagine what else I might be doing. The staff at the NPTHA office are more than just my coworkers, I consider them my family. N E Z P E R C E T R I B A L H O U S I N G A U T H O R I T Y

3 T H I R D Q U A R T E R P A G E 3

4 P A G E 4 Win $200 towards your Rent Every year the NPTHA draws two winners for its Pay on Time Contest. The winners receive a $ credit for the month of December. Those eligible for the contest are tenants who maintain a positive pay history that participate in one of the following programs: Low Rent, Tax Credit, Starter Home, Mutual Help and Option to Purchase. Each tenant has the opportunity to earn two entries for the contest. If you have a zero* balance at the end of the month for at least 9 months, you are entered into the drawing. When you have a zero balance at the end of each month for the entire year, you get a second entry. *Work Order balances in good standing will qualify. The lucky winners for 2017 are Valerie Albert and Melvina Killscrow. Congratulations ladies! Beware of Advanced Tax Refund loans! Many families struggling to make ends meet during the holiday season may find themselves considering an advance tax refund. Although they advertise no fees or interest, beware as there may be other costs or services required which can cost you several hundred dollars. We understand some of these companies will require you to use their tax preparation services when you are ready to file your tax return. Professional tax return services can cost an average of $150 to well over $200 for federal and more if you need a state return, too. Please remember, to be eligible for these tax refund loans, you have to be sure you will be getting a tax refund and that it won t be garnished or withheld for any other debts. Since these advanced tax refunds are loans, there may be costly penalties if you are not able to pay off with your tax refund. Why pay for filing your tax return if you are able to use a Voluntary Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program to prepare your taxes for free? Please call NPTHA or RDI at the information shown to the left to schedule your appointment.

5 T H I R D Q U A R T E R P A G E 5 Indian Community Development Block Grant The Nez Perce Tribal Housing Authority (NPTHA) was successful in applying for the 2017 Indian Community Development Block Grant (ICDBG). We have been awarded the full $500,000 grant for a two-year period. In order to compete for these funds, the NPTHA matched $110,000 of our annual Indian Housing Block Grant funds for a majority of the administrative costs in operating the ICDBG program. The NPTHA will use the 2017 ICDBG award to complete four major activities: 1. Provide essential repairs and energy improvements for at least 24 low-income homeowners; 2. Replace old fan forced wall heaters and window air conditioners with energy efficient ductless heat pumps for 30 senior apartments in our Chief Joseph Complex and Chief Looking Glass Complex; 3. Replace cracking and unsafe flooring in the dining and hallways at both the Chief Joseph Complex and Chief Looking Glass Complex; 4. Under the Public Service component of the ICDBG program we will provide energy efficient security lighting for two playgrounds and the elder s park. The grant program will run from January 1, 2018 through December 31, The NPTHA is currently accepting applications for the home repair waiting list. The NPTHA will also be recruiting for skilled carpenters and laborers for our force account crew to complete the home repair work. The NPTHA is excited to offer a two-hour Home Owner s Class. If you are awarded the ICDBG Rehab Program, you will be required to take the class. This must be completed before any work is started. We will begin offering this class next month. Income Limits Family Size Low Income (80% Area Median) Nez Perce County Clearwater, Idaho & Lewis Counties 1 $31,650 $30,950 2 $36,200 $35,350 3 $40,700 $39,750 4 $45,200 $44,150 5 $48,850 $47,700 6 $52,450 $51,250 7 $56,050 $54,750 8 $59,700 $58,300

6 P A G E 6 First published in AMERIND at AMERINDRISK.org/newsletters Winter Holiday Safety Winter holidays are a time for families and friends to get together. But that also means a greater risk for fire. Following a few simple tips will ensure a happy and fire-safe holiday season. Take precaution to keep your family, friends and home safe! Follow these Winter Holiday Safety tips. The three leading dates for home structure fires caused by cooking are Thanksgiving, Christmas day and Christmas Eve. Adhere to these kitchen safety tips: Remain in the kitchen while cooking to avoid grease fires. For slow-cook meals like roasting a turkey, check it frequently and use a timer. Stay alert in the kitchen, particularly if you re sleepy. Consider waiting to open any alcoholic beverages until the meal is ready. Keep flammables, such as oven mitts and paper towels, away from the stove and all hot surfaces. HOLIDAY DECORATING Be careful with holiday decorations. Choose decorations that are flame resistant or flame retardant. Keep lit candles away from decorations and other things that can burn. Some lights are only for indoor or outdoor use, but not both. Replace any string of lights with worn or broken cords or loose bulb connections. Read manufacturer s instructions for number of light strands to connect. Use clips, not nails, to hang lights so the cords do not get damaged. Keep decorations away from windows and doors. HOLIDAY ENTERTAINING Test your smoke alarms and tell guests about your home fire escape plan. Keep children and pets away from lit candles. Keep matches and lighters up high in a locked cabinet. Stay in the kitchen when cooking on the stovetop. Ask smokers to smoke outside. Remind smokers to keep their smoking materials with them so young children do not touch them. Provide large, deep ashtrays for smokers. Wet cigarette butts with water before discarding. Christmas Tree Care Once merry and bright, dried-out trees pose serious danger. Christmas trees are combustible and become increasingly flammable as they continue to dry out in your home. Electrical distribution or lighting equipment is involved in 35% of home Christmas tree fires. Check all strings of lights for broken or cracked sockets, and frayed or bare wires. Discard or repair the damaged ones before using. Remember to never use more than one extension cord per outlet. Dispose of your Christmas tree soon after the holiday, or immediately if dry. Nearly 40 percent of home fires that begin with Christmas trees occur in January. Dried-out Christmas trees should not be left in the home or garage, or placed outside leaning against the house. Check your local community s recycling program. Before Heading Out or to bed Blow out lit candles when you leave the room or go to bed. Turn off all light strings and decorations before leaving home or going to bed FACTS Two of every five home decoration fires are started by candles. Nearly half of decoration fires happen because decorations are placed N E Z P E R C E T R I B A L H O U S I N G A U T H O R I T Y

7 T H I R D Q U A R T E R P A G E 7 Banner Bank Grant The Nez Perce Tribal Housing Authority is excited to announce receipt of a Community Support Grant in the amount of $6,000 from Banner Bank. This generous contribution to the NPTHA will enable us to continue to enhance our education and outreach to community members, and provide them with tools and materials for financial literacy. We continually strive to form and enhance partnerships with various local and private entities, and we have Zach Balmer and Michael Dotson at Banner Bank to thank for being one of those organizations. Winter Preparedness C F G Q E Q J H I R U S T D N S W W S G A H X X Q A E Y I C T H N R O K E E W U L D I N W A K A N O T H A A I D A A X T J Q Y M T Z P Q R E H J L F T P T T J T S C S I N E K M Y H Z N A T N V H H B E M V N T R E W U Z O B V E S E Z E E I R N G G F E I Y H Z E T X S E V P R R G S S Q O N N C B L O W O U T P E A I S N X F O Y D V S U K J D S V W D R O Z T I E R G O G N I T A L I T N E V P Y E R K I D W Q M A R O O F L E U I J V N I I L W S G Y L P Z I X R P T C R V T V D P U Z Y Q U A B N P S K M A C A N M S Z P A Y D L E I H S T L A S D R E L O J B I C I S M O K E A L A R M B O W T P F V N L A L L M M M T L E M E C I O D O E F G S Z F L K R I N S U L A T E U R G R R M P J L D O J C K R E T A W C V Y S T P I N S U O V O V A U Y F J T H D W E D J H F S D D P Y W O T K X S M D D N Q B I D K Q 2018 Ceiling Rent Calculations January 1, 2018 * Low-Income Families 60% of Lowest FMR 1 BDRM 2 BDRM 3 BDRM 4 BDRM 5 BDRM 6 BDRM Ceiling Rents Moderate-Income Families 70% of Lowest FMR 1 BDRM 2 BDRM 3 BDRM 4 BDRM 5 BDRM 6 BDRM Ceiling Rent *Rates are effective upon any annual or interim recertifications completed and effective January 1, 2018 or later.

8 PO Box 188 Lapwai, ID Lapwai Office Fax: Thank you Julian Matthews! The Nez Perce Tribal Housing Authority would like to thank Julian Matthews for his 20 years served on the Nez Perce Tribal Housing Authority s Board of Commissioners. The NPTHA Board is responsible for acting as a sounding board, making fair or equitable decisions and creating policy guided by program rules, Tribal Ordinance, and state or federal regulations. Julian was first elected to the Board in During that time, he has served as a Member, Chairman, and Vice-Chairman. Julian has enthusiastically been dedicated to the vision of NPTHA s missions, goals, and objectives. A huge thank you goes out to Julian Matthews!