Before entering the agency, I was not aware of the many different housing issues that they face.

I have seen management and landlords mistreat their tenants in many situations from cursing at their tenants to evicting them.

As a social work student, my main objective/goal is to empower those individuals that may be mistreated, abused, and or oppressed. There is a need to advocate for each and every individual that may face a hostile living environment. There have been a few developments which DHC have helped tenants with some of their issues.

I have come across one development in which the management misuses her position by bullying her tenants, steering individuals in specific buildings according to race, cursing at children and adults, not allowing anyone including children and the elderly to sit in front of their steps, and not fixing or repairing items that are in need of repair. There have been instances when tenants have complained about the smell of gas in the buildings or in their apartments and when management is approached, she tells them that, is not "her problem".

These are situations that have to be looked into and dealt with by anyone advocating for descent and affordable housing. Everyone deserves to live in a non-hostile environment. The amount of rent or the type of subsidy that one pays should not determine their living environment.

DHC sees the mistreatment of tenants by their landlords almost daily. Tenants do not realize that they have options whether they live in a complex or in a trailer. In dealing with the above complex that was mentioned, DHC is in the process of  holding a second roundtable for tenants who live in that complex to come out and voice their opinions.

Originally a first roundtable was held and was attended by representatives from fair housing. In that meeting, it was suggested that fair housing could do some testing to gather information regarding management placing individuals in certain building according to race and or color.

It is important for the community to come together and voice their opinions when the situation presents itself. It is also important that every tenant receives and familiarizes himself or herself with the landlord tenant code. It is important that every tenant when complaining about repairs, document everything and send it certified if possible. If the tenant is taken to court, then proof and evidence is documented.

In some situations Delaware Housing Coalition is the lifeline for some individuals. DHC provides options and/or the proper resources to tenants when they call the hotline. They also work closely with the State Wide Associations of Tenants in helping organize and form tenant councils. It is so important that tenants know that they have a right to organize a council. Every voice is important and should be heard by management when facing and dealing with any situation.

It has been my pleasure to do my internship with DHC and am looking forward to next semester to learn even more.

There is one individual that stands out. I have been working along with DHC staff to try and assist this resident who has faced numerous problems at her apartment complex in Dover. This particular resident, who had lived in this complex for four years and never paid her rent late, had been given a non renewal notice from the manager. An incident not directly related to the resident was the reason the manager gave for the non renewal. While understanding there is no obligation to renew, weak excuses are being given to a responsible tenant.

It is interesting that there were several residents who are of the same race as this resident also being given non renewals or being evicted. These residents are also some of the ones who are speaking up about concerns such as gas leaks. The manager had to replace wooden doors, which were a fire hazard. This was a result of tenants being concerned for their own safety, who called in a possible gas leak. The tenant I was working with had reason to believe her non renewal was a retaliatory act. She wrote a letter asking for reconsideration only to get one in return form the manager stating she would not even consider renewing the tenant’s lease.

Accompanying the tenant during a walk through the staff member said, "Everything looks fine." After the tenant had vacated, the manager sent a letter to the tenant’s new address which stated the damages to the apartment totaled the security deposit and that therefore she would not be getting her security deposit. The date on the letter was more then twenty days after the termination of the lease.

The tenant sent a letter to the manager stating that according to the Delaware Landlord Tenant Code if the security deposit (or a letter stating why the security deposit will not be returned to the tenant) is not given within twenty days of the termination of the lease, the tenant is entitled to double the security deposit. Once again the manager returned a letter stating the tenant’s security deposit will not be returned. It was recommended to the resident by DHC staff for her to go to the courts.

This is not the only tenant with issues at this complex. It is believed that steering, placing individuals and families of one race in the same building, may be occurring at this complex as well. There has already been a tenant gathering at this complex, and I hope to become even more involved with tenants to encourage them to fight for their rights. I have learned that it takes time but together the tenants can become a strong force to overcome the obstacles they face in their apartment complex.