When HUD took over the FEMA rent assistance program for folks who lost their houses in Katrina, Gatehouse Apartments in Metairie really screwed people over. They refused to work with HUD but they made these poor folks keep their leases. These folks lost everything! They're trying to get back on their feet with scarce jobs, lost homes and cars, lost loved ones that died or are still missing. \r
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This is from the Times Picayune on Dec 1, 2007\r
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"" Gatehouse was prepared to transfer about 20 families participating in the FEMA program into the HUD program; the tenants even met with HUD case-workers. But then Gatehouse officials read the new contract with HUD, which requires compliance with HUD's Housing Quality Standards and forbids eviction of the tenants if HUD withholds rent payments for violations of the standards. Gatehouse sent a letter to the tenants notifying them that it wouldn't participate in the program once HUD takes over, but their existing leases would remain in force. ""\r
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Compliance with quality standards!?! Hell no! NOT Gatehouse. They will not meet standards. That is because they are taking advantage of every displaced old person they can find. The apartments are not nice. They aren't clean when people move in. The rent is very high. And if the fridge doesn't work, they ain't gonna fix it for you. But HUD won't pay the rent if they don't fix your toilet or fridge. So they won't work with HUD but they're sure gonna hold those folks to their leases. That is just mean and nasty!
Pros: They have a bus to drive you places.
Cons: Run down apartments, cheap appliances that break, long wait if the toilet breaks, unclean, insect problems.
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