John Hope Critics Decry Mortgage Payments on Unoccupied Property
Tuesday, November 04, 2014
The group "Concerned Citizens for John Hope Settlement House," which has called for the resignation of current Board Chair and State Representative Anastasia Williams, is now raising issues regarding a vacant property owned by John Hope at 11 Higgins Avenue -- that currently has mortgage payments while unoccupied, and was burglarized this past summer.
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Community leaders held an "outcry rally" by candlelight Monday night outside the house on Higgins Avenue to address what they are deeming the continued "mismanagement and lack of effective leadership and John Hope Settlement."
"In 2012, Representative Williams and a group of “community residents” put forth a “2013-2014 strategic management improvement plan” to save John Hope. The majority of this plan has yet been achieved. This includes establishing immediate use/rehab plan for 11 Higgins Avenue for a residential program," said the group in a statement on Monday. "This property has been sitting vacant since Representative Williams became board chair and is currently listed on the market for $225,000. John Hope currently pays $2,500 for the mortgage on an unoccupied home. Recently, this home was broken into and all copper was removed. John Hope’s homeowners insurance states this property is occupied in order to receive a lower monthly premium. However, this property is vacant."
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"Since 2011, the John Hope board has seen 32 different members come and go as well as 5 Interim/Executive Directors; 3 of these directors exited under the leadership of Representative Williams. Currently, the board is operating with less than the amount of members required according to the board bylaws," wrote the group, which is headed by community leader Chace Baptista, in their statement. "However, Representative Williams refuses to divulge who exactly is currently in the board of directors. We estimate it may only be 5-6 individuals. Additionally, recent board members have reported being left off emails pertaining to board matters as well as not seeing any financial statements during any board meetings."
Williams on Monday addressed the charges levied by the group, who since September have pressed for her resignation, following the departure of the most recent Executive Director, Taino Palermo.
"The current Board configuration meets the minimum number of members as established by the agency's by-laws," said Williams. The agency has submitted appropriate forms notifying the State's governing body of the Board composition; this information will be posted on the State's Corporate Data Base when the paperwork has been processed."
Williams also addressed the issues at 11 Higgins Avenue. The main John Hope Settlement House is located at 7 Thomas Whitten Way.
"Presently, 11 Higgins Ave is in need of a replacement boiler and heating systems due to vandalism; when completed the agency will again try to find appropriate tenants for this residence," said Williams. "The agency is also considering a community partnership to return this residence to its original attended use as a shelter or group home setting for youth."
"As to the insurance company, it is recognized that properties become vacant. According to HUD's Neighborhood Mapper the property is located in area with a Vacancy Rate of 8.36 compared to 4.60 for the Surrounding County. As stated previously, the agency was attempting to find a suitable tenant when the house was vandalized and is now waiting for Insurance monies to replace the necessary systems that were stolen," Williams continued. "Given that the house is located across the street from a public school the agency has taken measures to ensure that tenants are appropriate for the neighborhood. When repairs are completed is anticipated that a suitable tenant has been found."
Group's Concerns Persist
"We need to hear directly from the board with a formal response, not just what Williams has to say," said Baptista. "That's the role of a dictator in a dictatorship."
Community leader Kobi Dennis served on the John Hope board from January 2014 before stepping down in April 2014.
"I came on board in January, got a whiff of what was going on, and left in April," said Dennis. "A lot of people might not come out on this because they're afraid of [Williams]. But what we have here is John Hope collecting dust, and we have youth on the streets dying." Dennis pointed to a beer can behind a window as an indication of the most recent tenant in the now empty building.
Regarding the financial status of the John Hope Settlement House -- and all of its properties -- Williams said that the board has engaged a firm to complete a 2013 audit.
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A beer can spotted inside the now-vacant building on Higgins Ave, which was previously a youth home.
Palermo, the House's most recent Executive Director before stepping down after clashing with Williams, said that he wanted to minimize his role in the "concerned citizens" group. "This has never been about me, or my leaving," said Palermo.
Palermo, who met with the State Police in September, said he was questioned about John Hope's finances -- and Williams' role. "[Williams] was the subject of their inquiries."
Palermo spoke Monday to the buglary this summer. "There had been a tentant there previously, but not since I've been there," said Palermo, who took this position this past May. "The copper removal this summer however looked like an inside job," said Palermo. "At least that's what the cops told me."
Related Slideshow: John Hope—Safety Violation Pics
The group Concerned Citizens for John Hope Settlement House brought the following pictures dealing with lack of safety to the attention of the Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth and Families.
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