Housing Authority Residents Concerned About Higher Late Fee

The Housing Authority voted unanimously to raise the charge for late rent from $10 to $25 during the Authority's monthly meeting Thursday night. 

Still, some residents—such as Gail Johnson, 50—raised concerns: if someone can't pay rent—how will they be able to pay the increased late fee?

"If I can't afford to pay my rent that day, how can I afford $25?" asked Housing Authority resident Arlette Braxton, 54.

"That's really crazy, that shouldn't be," she added about the new late fee. 

Between 30 and 40 percent of the residents in each of the three family housing units doesn't pay rent on time, according to Executive Director Carmelo Garcia.

Housing Commissioner and Chairman of the finance committee Eduardo Gonzalez said that the nearly 40 percent rent delinquency rate costs the housing authority roughly $38,000 a year. 

In Andrew Jackson houses, 33 percent of the tenants were late with rent over a four-month period, 25 percent in Christopher Columbus and 35 percent in Harrison Gardens, according to Gonzalez.

In the senior buildings—Monroe Gardens and Adams houses—the percentages are much lower with 4 and 6 percent of the residents paying their rent too late.

Gonzalez said that $25 is still way under what most other places charge for late fees. 

Rent needs to be paid by the fifth of the month. In case of hardship—such as illness or sudden unemployment—the late fee can be waived, Vice Chair Dominic Lisa pointed out.