Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Complaints Lodged Against Gurdon Housing Authority

Allegations of racism and unfair treatment have been levied against the Gurdon Housing Authority.

According to information from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), through the Office of Fair Housing, Laverne Meyers Freeman, the former executive director of the GHA, refused to rent to minorities, denied housing to minorities when apartments were empty and prevented residents from getting the full benefit of the U.S. Fair Housing Law.

These allegations were levied June 29, 1998. Freeman has since resigned her position with the GHA.

According to the complaint, black tenants were being overcharged on their rent and were subjected to unwarranted surveillance, invasion of privacy and harassment.

Black tenants, the complaint reads, do not receive appliances and maintenance of apartments as to other tenants.

In addition, the complaint claims those tenants with handicaps were not afforded reasonable accommodation for their disabilities and were also overcharged on the rent.

One of the most damning claims made states maintenance personnel have sexually harassed black female residents.

Gurdon City Recorder/Treasurer Tambra Smith said this matter is currently being left in the hands of the Gurdon Housing Commission, with the Gurdon City Council not getting involved at this time.

Jimmy Hilton, chairman of the Gurdon Housing Commission, said he hasn't read anything other than a report by the area's daily paper on the issue.

"All I know is what Freeman's told me. I have not been in touch with the Fair Housing people," he said. "As far as I know everything's fine except the executive director and maintenance man have quit."

Hilton said the commission has advertised these positions and is in the process of hiring replacements.

The commission, though, doesn't meet on a regular basis, he said, but gets together whenever the need arises. It will have to meet in order to hire a new executive director and maintenance person.

According to information from the Arkansas Fair Housing Council, Freeman charged black and handicapped tenants excessive rent without regard to legitimate medical expenses and subsequent reduction from rent calculation.

She reportedly also entered the homes of tenants without adequate notice at different times of the day, and allegedly parked outside their homes to watch them.

The release claims this was only done to black tenants.

Additionally, the allegations include Freeman denied proper safety features in bathroom facilities to handicapped tenants.

And, the release states, she told black people units were not available when apartments were empty and the blacks in question were first on the waiting list.

Maintenance personnel working for the authority, according to the council, repeatedly propositioned female tenants for sex.

These allegations violate Section 804 of Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 as amended by the Fair Housing Act of 1988 and the Civil Rights Act of 1866.

Rent at public housing facilities is based upon income, and some specific expenses, such as medical expenses, which are deducted from the renter's income and, accordingly, the rent.

The matter was briefly addressed at the July meeting of the Gurdon City Council, held Monday, July 13, with Gurdon Mayor Rick Smith reminding the panel these are allegations only and nothing has been proven as of yet.

No charges have been filed in the case at this time either.

Other members of the Gurdon Housing Commission include: Annie Hubbard, Doug Quillan, Johnny Watson and Wilma Davis.