Resident Councils
One of the easiest and most effective ways to get involved in your community is to join your local Resident Association. At FCHA, there are two related groups, a development’s Resident Association, sometimes called a Resident Council or Tenant Council, and the County Wide Resident Council, which is also the Resident Advisory Board.
Resident Councils or Tenant Councils are democratic organizations dedicated to improving the quality of life in FCHA developments and the surrounding neighborhoods. The purpose of the resident councils/tenant councils are to unit and empower residents in promoting public safety, self sufficiency and encourage their input on housing authority programming and operations.
Resident Councils also work with FCHA management at every level, which gives residents a real voice in the operation of their developments.
County Wide Resident Council
The County Wide Resident Council is made up of residents from various FCHA developments and consists of a President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer. Any resident that is at least 18 years of age and is currently on the lease at any FCHA development is eligible to be nominated for a position or vote at elections. The County Wide Resident Council also works closely with FCHA staff concerning many issues affecting resident life at FCHA developments. The organization was formed in 1999 as an association made up of individual resident council members and was formally organized in August 2001.
MEETINGS
Meetings are conducted on the first Monday of each month at 12:30 p.m. The location of these meetings changes each month. If you are a public housing resident and would like to attend a meeting or would like your development to host a meeting, please contact Mary Wertz at (724) 785-2922 or Florabell Loverdi at (724) 785-8349. Any mailed correspondence can be sent to Florabell Loverdi, 700 2nd Street, Apt. 1G1, Brownsville, PA 15417.
Resident Services, Inc. (RSI)
In July 2000 the County Wide Resident Council along with 2 residents and 2 local businessmen formed Resident Services, Inc. (RSI). RSI is a private, for-profit, contracting business that provides a variety of services to the Fayette County Housing Authority and the local community. RSI provides grass cutting, grounds maintenance, cleaning, patching and painting of vacant FCHA units. RSI primarily employs public housing residents, unemployed and underemployed individuals, whenever possible. Currently the County Wide Resident Council owns 41% of RSI, one resident owns 10% and the two local businessmen split the remaining 49%. RSI has not only provided a phenomenal service to FCHA but has also assisted in providing employment to many FCHA residents.
Pennsylvania Association of Resident Councils (PARC)
The County Wide Resident Council is also a member of the Pennsylvania Association of Resident Councils (PARC). PARC is a non-profit organization incorporated in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania who acts as a unified voice for duly elected resident councils and other residents residing in assisted living in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. PARC communicates, trains and assists in the organization of resident councils throughout Pennsylvania. They also make every effort to cooperate and network with other valuable local, state and national organizations.
PARC’s purpose is to defend and promote resident rights, provide information to resident councils, and unify residents in Pennsylvania.
In the spring, PARC holds a conference for all of its member agencies. This conference focuses on many topics such as conflict resolution, working with your housing authority, and HUD regulations. Several HUD officials routinely attend this conference to provide valuable information.
Any residents interested in forming a resident council at your site please contact Dave Huston, Director of Programs at (724) 437-1327.
Resident Advisory Board
The members of the County Wide Resident Council also make up the Resident Advisory Board. Their primary focus is to address various aspects of FCHA’s Annual and Five-Year Plans. The Resident Advisory Board members express concerns, make recommendations and advise FCHA management in the formulation of the Agency Plans. These recommendations are then considered as FCHA staff draft the Agency Plans. The Resident Advisory Board also keeps residents informed of the Plans’ development at both the draft and final stages.
FCHA Resident Councils & Officers
County Wide Resident Council
Meets the first Monday of
every month
12:30 p.m. at
various locations
| President | Florabell Loverdi |
| Vice President | Jerome Thomas |
| Treasurer | Mary Wertz |
| Acting Secretary | Patricia Glenn |
Brier Wood Acres Resident Council
Meets the second Wednesday of
every month
1:00 p.m. in
the Community Hall
| President | Debbie Ermlick |
| Vice President | Marie Bendis |
| Treasurer | Shelly Gaines |
| Acting Secretary | Jane Nelson |
South Hill Terrace Resident Council
Meets the second Wednesday of
every month
6:00 p.m. in
the Community Hall
| President | Mary Wertz |
| Vice President | Lucy Stiner |
| Treasurer | Connie Wertz |
| Acting Secretary | Wayne "Buzzy" Miller |
Mulligan Manor Resident Council
Meets the last Thursday of
every month
2:00 p.m. in
the Community Room
| President | Florabell Loverdi |
| Vice President | Vacant |
| Treasurer | Thelma Rose |
| Acting Secretary | Sharon Lewis |
Marshall Manor Resident Council
Meets the third Thursday of
every month
3:00 p.m. in
the Community Room
| President | John Hodge |
| Vice President | Bob Elleard |
| Treasurer | Virginia Turner |
| Acting Secretary | Cindy Harris |
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